MRK vs. ZTS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MRK and ZTS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MRK | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Merck & Co., Inc. | Zoetis Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 225.13 billion USD | 65.13 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | February 1, 2013 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MRK and ZTS 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.35% | 3.28% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 6.03% | -6.18% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -4.74% | -10.13% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -26.18% | -24.89% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.23% | -6.45% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -15.63% | -10.19% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 14.72M | 3.13M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 13.72M | 3.02M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.58% | 20.08% |
| Beta | 0.34 | 0.91 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MRK
34.88%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.85%
- Q1
- 5.40%
- Min
- -10.91%
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.
ZTS
53.21%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.85%
- Q1
- 5.40%
- Min
- -10.91%
ZTS’s Return on Equity of 53.21% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
MRK
25.79%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.67%
- Q3
- 19.07%
- Median
- 12.31%
- Q1
- 4.50%
- Min
- -9.91%
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.
ZTS
27.83%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.67%
- Q3
- 19.07%
- Median
- 12.31%
- Q1
- 4.50%
- Min
- -9.91%
A Net Profit Margin of 27.83% places ZTS in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
MRK
30.00%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.78%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 16.68%
- Q1
- 7.98%
- Min
- -7.13%
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.
ZTS
35.35%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.78%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 16.68%
- Q1
- 7.98%
- Min
- -7.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 35.35% places ZTS 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.88% | 53.21% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.04% | 18.27% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.79% | 27.83% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.00% | 35.35% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 78.32% | 71.50% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MRK
1.42
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.65
- Q3
- 2.64
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.78
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.
ZTS
1.76
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.65
- Q3
- 2.64
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.78
ZTS’s Current Ratio of 1.76 aligns with the median group of the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
MRK
0.72
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.35
- Q1
- 0.13
- 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.
ZTS
1.32
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.35
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
ZTS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Pharmaceuticals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.32. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
MRK
19.65
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.37
- 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.
ZTS
15.44
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.37
- Min
- -42.71
ZTS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.44 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.42 | 1.76 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.17 | 1.04 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 1.32 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 19.65 | 15.44 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MRK
3.74%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.74%, MRK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
ZTS
1.29%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZTS’s Dividend Yield of 1.29% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
MRK
48.95%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 53.47%
- Q1
- 22.97%
- 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.
ZTS
32.08%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 53.47%
- Q1
- 22.97%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZTS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.08% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.74% | 1.29% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 48.95% | 32.08% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MRK
13.10
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.19
- Q3
- 27.91
- Median
- 20.59
- Q1
- 15.08
- Min
- 3.79
In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s P/E Ratio of 13.10 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
ZTS
24.81
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.19
- Q3
- 27.91
- Median
- 20.59
- Q1
- 15.08
- Min
- 3.79
ZTS’s P/E Ratio of 24.81 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
MRK
3.38
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.38 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.
ZTS
6.91
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
ZTS’s P/S Ratio of 6.91 is in the upper echelon for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
MRK
4.06
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.59
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.
ZTS
13.95
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.59
At 13.95, ZTS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Pharmaceuticals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 13.10 | 24.81 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.38 | 6.91 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.06 | 13.95 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 14.60 | 29.21 |