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MRK vs. VTRS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at MRK and VTRS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolMRKVTRS
Company NameMerck & Co., Inc.Viatris Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization211.46 billion USD12.42 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENasdaqGS
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962March 17, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MRK and VTRS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

MRK vs. VTRS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolMRKVTRS
5-Day Price Return2.30%-0.37%
13-Week Price Return9.62%21.58%
26-Week Price Return0.28%-1.39%
52-Week Price Return-26.01%-9.97%
Month-to-Date Return8.37%21.85%
Year-to-Date Return-14.90%-14.46%
10-Day Avg. Volume9.70M11.82M
3-Month Avg. Volume14.71M12.30M
3-Month Volatility24.03%32.62%
Beta0.360.89

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MRK

34.88%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
38.59%
Q3
19.84%
Median
11.90%
Q1
5.63%
Min
-9.96%

In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s Return on Equity of 34.88% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

VTRS

-19.92%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
38.59%
Q3
19.84%
Median
11.90%
Q1
5.63%
Min
-9.96%

VTRS has a negative Return on Equity of -19.92%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MRK

25.79%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
34.51%
Q3
17.73%
Median
12.12%
Q1
5.99%
Min
-7.73%

A Net Profit Margin of 25.79% places MRK in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

VTRS

-24.57%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
34.51%
Q3
17.73%
Median
12.12%
Q1
5.99%
Min
-7.73%

VTRS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -24.57%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MRK

30.00%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
41.53%
Q3
23.00%
Median
16.24%
Q1
9.24%
Min
-6.94%

An Operating Profit Margin of 30.00% places MRK in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

VTRS

-26.54%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
41.53%
Q3
23.00%
Median
16.24%
Q1
9.24%
Min
-6.94%

VTRS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -26.54%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolMRKVTRS
Return on Equity (TTM)34.88%-19.92%
Return on Assets (TTM)14.04%-8.50%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)25.79%-24.57%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)30.00%-26.54%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)78.32%40.15%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MRK

1.42

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
4.49
Q3
2.77
Median
1.74
Q1
1.26
Min
0.11

MRK’s Current Ratio of 1.42 aligns with the median group of the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

VTRS

1.37

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
4.49
Q3
2.77
Median
1.74
Q1
1.26
Min
0.11

VTRS’s Current Ratio of 1.37 aligns with the median group of the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MRK

0.72

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
2.44
Q3
1.07
Median
0.42
Q1
0.11
Min
0.00

MRK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 is typical for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

VTRS

0.82

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
2.44
Q3
1.07
Median
0.42
Q1
0.11
Min
0.00

VTRS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.82 is typical for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MRK

19.65

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
103.95
Q3
44.18
Median
9.83
Q1
2.82
Min
-42.71

MRK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 19.65 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

VTRS

-0.13

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
103.95
Q3
44.18
Median
9.83
Q1
2.82
Min
-42.71

VTRS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -0.13. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolMRKVTRS
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.421.37
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.170.65
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.720.82
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)19.65-0.13

Growth

Revenue Growth

MRK vs. VTRS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

MRK vs. VTRS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

MRK

3.77%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
6.98%
Q3
3.32%
Median
2.13%
Q1
0.14%
Min
0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 3.77%, MRK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

VTRS

4.58%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
6.98%
Q3
3.32%
Median
2.13%
Q1
0.14%
Min
0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 4.58%, VTRS offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MRK

48.95%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
165.20%
Q3
90.59%
Median
49.13%
Q1
28.91%
Min
0.00%

MRK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 48.95% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

VTRS

137.04%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
165.20%
Q3
90.59%
Median
49.13%
Q1
28.91%
Min
0.00%

VTRS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 137.04% is in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolMRKVTRS
Dividend Yield (TTM)3.77%4.58%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)48.95%137.04%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MRK

12.97

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
42.51
Q3
26.88
Median
19.11
Q1
15.12
Min
0.00

In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s P/E Ratio of 12.97 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

VTRS

--

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
42.51
Q3
26.88
Median
19.11
Q1
15.12
Min
0.00

P/E Ratio data for VTRS is currently unavailable.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MRK

3.35

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
7.55
Q3
4.54
Median
2.11
Q1
1.52
Min
0.00

MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.35 aligns with the market consensus for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

VTRS

0.88

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
7.55
Q3
4.54
Median
2.11
Q1
1.52
Min
0.00

In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, VTRS’s P/S Ratio of 0.88 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MRK

4.06

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
9.78
Q3
4.96
Median
2.23
Q1
1.46
Min
0.60

MRK’s P/B Ratio of 4.06 is within the conventional range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

VTRS

0.67

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
9.78
Q3
4.96
Median
2.23
Q1
1.46
Min
0.60

VTRS’s P/B Ratio of 0.67 is in the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

MRK vs. VTRS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Pharmaceuticals industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolMRKVTRS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)12.97--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)3.350.88
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)4.060.67
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)14.467.29