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MRK vs. ROIV: Merck vs. Roivant Sciences Stock Comparison

How do Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but MRK is classified in Pharmaceuticals while ROIV is classified in Biotechnology.

Merck (MRK) has more than two decades of public-market history since January 2, 1962, whereas Roivant Sciences (ROIV) listed on December 8, 2020 and has a much shorter record to draw on.

Company profile comparison for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV)
Profile ItemMRKROIV
NameMerck & Co., Inc.Roivant Sciences Ltd.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsBiotechnology
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsBiotechnology
Market Capitalization361.73 billion USD28.08 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENasdaq
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962December 8, 2020
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

MRK
ROIV
GSPC
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV)
MetricMRKROIV
Total Return (1Y)76.14%96.75%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)16.48%68.04%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)15.77%36.73%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

MRK
ROIV
GSPC
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV)
MetricMRKROIV
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)30.24%47.99%
Beta (5Y)0.111.17
Max Drawdown (5Y)-43.44%-79.22%
Avg. Volume (3M)10.24M7.82M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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MRK and ROIV are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV)
MetricMRKROIV
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)2.381.93
Sortino Ratio (1Y)4.334.03

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Roivant Sciences (ROIV) reports a negative ROE of -8.52%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Merck (MRK) reports 5.06%, ranking against industry peers normally.

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.06%

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
MRK
5.06%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-8.52%

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
ROIV
-8.52%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Merck (MRK) at 3.64% and Roivant Sciences (ROIV) at 0.00% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.64%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
MRK
3.64%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
ROIV
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Roivant Sciences (ROIV) reports a negative operating margin of -25,408.11%, usually indicating that operating costs exceeded revenue at the operating-income line. Meanwhile Merck (MRK) reports 35.22%, ranking against industry peers normally.

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

35.22%

Max
83.12%
MRK
35.22%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-25,408.11%

Max
83.12%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
ROIV
-25,408.11%
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV)
MetricMRKROIV
ROE (TTM)5.06%-8.52%
ROA (TTM)11.29%-16.28%
Net Margin (TTM)3.64%0.00%
Operating Margin (TTM)35.22%-25,408.11%
Gross Margin (TTM)75.20%0.00%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Merck (MRK) at 1.31% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Roivant Sciences (ROIV) at -71.57% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Merck (MRK) reports EPS growth of 8.01%, ranked against its industry; Roivant Sciences (ROIV) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV)
MetricMRKROIV
Revenue Growth (YoY)1.31%-71.57%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)3.12%-36.01%
EPS Growth (YoY)8.01%--
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)8.43%--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Roivant Sciences (ROIV) at 16.72 carries current ratio above its industry’s typical mid-range, while Merck (MRK) at 1.35 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — different working-capital profiles, both worth examining.

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.35

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
MRK
1.35
Min
0.10

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

16.72

Max
25.13
ROIV
16.72
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
Min
0.10
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Roivant Sciences (ROIV) at 0.02 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Merck (MRK) at 1.20 uses more debt funding than most peers.

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.20

Max
1.42
MRK
1.20
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.02

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
ROIV
0.02
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV)
MetricMRKROIV
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.3516.72
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.200.02
Net Debt / EBITDA1.50--

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Roivant Sciences (ROIV) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Merck (MRK) reports a yield of 2.29%, ranking against industry peers normally.

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.29%

MRK
2.29%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ROIV
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Merck (MRK) reports payout ratio above 100% at 343.43%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings; Roivant Sciences (ROIV) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%).

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

343.43%

MRK
343.43%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ROIV
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV)
MetricMRKROIV
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.29%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)343.43%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Merck (MRK) trades at 148.21 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Roivant Sciences (ROIV) has no P/E ratio this period.

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

148.21

MRK
148.21
Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
ROIV
--
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): ROIV does not report P/E ratio, so it has no value marker; MRK is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Merck (MRK) at 5.37 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Roivant Sciences (ROIV) at 3,728.61 clears its benchmark range — ROIV looks notably rich on sales.

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.37

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
MRK
5.37
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3,728.61

ROIV
3,728.61
Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both Merck (MRK) at 8.06 and Roivant Sciences (ROIV) at 6.64 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper P/B ratio quartile of their industries.

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.06

Max
13.53
MRK
8.06
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59

ROIV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.64

Max
13.53
ROIV
6.64
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59
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Merck (MRK) vs. Roivant Sciences (ROIV): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Merck (MRK) and Roivant Sciences (ROIV)
MetricMRKROIV
P/E Ratio (TTM)148.21--
P/S Ratio (TTM)5.373,728.61
P/B Ratio (MRQ)8.066.64
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)3.88%-3.98%