MRK vs. TAK: Merck vs. Takeda Pharmaceutical Stock Comparison
How do Merck (MRK) and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) 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 Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Merck (MRK) trades as ordinary local shares, while Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | MRK | TAK |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Merck & Co., Inc. | Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd ADR |
| Country/Region | United States | Japan |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 361.73 billion USD | 67.16 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | January 5, 2010 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | MRK | TAK |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 76.14% | 54.54% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 16.48% | 18.39% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 15.77% | 9.29% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) reports a negative beta of -0.01, suggesting inverse market sensitivity over the measurement window. That is uncommon for ordinary equities and can reflect commodity-linked or hedge-like exposure, but it can also come from statistical noise. Merck (MRK) has a non-negative beta of 0.11.
| Metric | MRK | TAK |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 30.24% | 21.45% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.11 | -0.01 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -43.44% | -24.83% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 10.24M | 2.61M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | MRK | TAK |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 2.38 | 2.34 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 4.33 | 3.88 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 5.06% and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 0.56% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
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%
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.56%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- TAK
- 0.56%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 3.64% and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 0.87% 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%
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.87%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- TAK
- 0.87%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 35.22% and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 24.55% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
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%
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
24.55%
- Max
- 83.12%
- TAK
- 24.55%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | MRK | TAK |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 5.06% | 0.56% |
| ROA (TTM) | 11.29% | 3.27% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 3.64% | 0.87% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 35.22% | 24.55% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 75.20% | 64.77% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Merck (MRK) at 1.31% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at -1.66% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.
EPS Growth
Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 77.96% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Merck (MRK) at 8.01% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for TAK.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | MRK | TAK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 1.31% | -1.66% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 3.12% | 3.81% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 8.01% | 77.96% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 8.43% | -16.01% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Merck (MRK) at 1.35 and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 1.15 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
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
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.15
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- TAK
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both Merck (MRK) at 1.20 and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 0.72 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.
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
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.72
- Max
- 1.42
- TAK
- 0.72
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | MRK | TAK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 1.15 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.20 | 0.72 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.50 | 3.61 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 2.29% and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 953.28% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.
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%
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
953.28%
- TAK
- 953.28%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 343.43% and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 426.53% report payout ratio above 100%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings on both sides.
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%
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
426.53%
- TAK
- 426.53%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | MRK | TAK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.29% | 953.28% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 343.43% | 426.53% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 148.21 and Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 300.29 trade above their industries’ P/E ratio peer ranges, pointing to unusually expensive trailing earnings relative to peers.
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
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
300.29
- TAK
- 300.29
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 0.01 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Merck (MRK) at 5.37 prices around its industry’s middle — TAK costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
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
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.01
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- TAK
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) at 1.43 looks cheap against book in the lower P/B ratio quartile, while Merck (MRK) at 8.06 carries a premium in the upper quartile — a clear price-to-book gap.
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
TAK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.43
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- TAK
- 1.43
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | MRK | TAK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 148.21 | 300.29 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 5.37 | 0.01 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 8.06 | 1.43 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 3.88% | 1,014.61% |