PFE vs. TMO: Pfizer vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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

Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but PFE is classified in Pharmaceuticals while TMO is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services.

Company profile comparison for Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Profile Item	PFE	TMO
Name	Pfizer Inc.	Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS Industry	Pharmaceuticals	Life Sciences Tools & Services
GICS Sub-Industry	Pharmaceuticals	Life Sciences Tools & Services
Market Capitalization	167.52 billion USD	257.42 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 1, 1972	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

PFE

TMO

GSPC

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), 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 Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Metric	PFE	TMO
Total Return (1Y)	28.65%	24.62%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	6.41%	17.34%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	-3.98%	3.11%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

PFE

TMO

GSPC

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), 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 Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Metric	PFE	TMO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	21.72%	29.96%
Beta (5Y)	0.35	0.83
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-58.96%	-40.95%
Avg. Volume (3M)	33.67M	2.10M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

PFE and TMO 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 Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Metric	PFE	TMO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	1.12	0.68
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	1.73	1.02

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 13.38% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Pfizer (PFE) at 4.47% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for TMO.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.47%

Max: 109.18%
Q3: 6.23%
PFE: 4.47%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

13.38%

Max: 109.18%
TMO: 13.38%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both Pfizer (PFE) at 6.34% and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 14.94% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.34%

Max: 18.05%
PFE: 6.34%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

14.94%

Max: 18.05%
TMO: 14.94%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Pfizer (PFE) at 33.38% and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 20.19% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

33.38%

Max: 83.12%
PFE: 33.38%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

20.19%

Max: 83.12%
TMO: 20.19%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Metric	PFE	TMO
ROE (TTM)	4.47%	13.38%
ROA (TTM)	5.59%	5.19%
Net Margin (TTM)	6.34%	14.94%
Operating Margin (TTM)	33.38%	20.19%
Gross Margin (TTM)	74.90%	41.26%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 3.91% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Pfizer (PFE) at -1.65% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Pfizer (PFE) at -3.55% and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 7.32% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Metric	PFE	TMO
Revenue Growth (YoY)	-1.65%	3.91%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	-14.80%	-0.27%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-3.55%	7.32%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-37.12%	0.21%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Pfizer (PFE) at 1.42 and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 1.81 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.42

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
PFE: 1.42
Min: 0.10

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.81

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
TMO: 1.81
Min: 0.10

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Pfizer (PFE) at 0.71 and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 0.75 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.71

Max: 1.42
PFE: 0.71
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.75

Max: 1.42
TMO: 0.75
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Metric	PFE	TMO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.42	1.81
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.71	0.75
Net Debt / EBITDA	1.97	2.91

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Pfizer (PFE) at 7.30% and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 0.27% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.30%

PFE: 7.30%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.27%

TMO: 0.27%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Pfizer (PFE) reports payout ratio above 100% at 245.71%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) reports 9.70%, ranking against industry peers normally.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

245.71%

PFE: 245.71%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

9.70%

TMO: 9.70%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Metric	PFE	TMO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	7.30%	0.27%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	245.71%	9.70%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Pfizer (PFE) at 41.99 and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 36.64 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

41.99

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
PFE: 41.99
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

36.64

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
TMO: 36.64
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Pfizer (PFE) at 2.63 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 5.44 prices around its industry’s middle — PFE costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.63

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
PFE: 2.63
Min: 0.01

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.44

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
TMO: 5.44
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Pfizer (PFE) at 1.88 and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 4.70 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.88

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
PFE: 1.88
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.70

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
TMO: 4.70
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

Pfizer (PFE) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Pfizer (PFE) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Metric	PFE	TMO
P/E Ratio (TTM)	41.99	36.64
P/S Ratio (TTM)	2.63	5.44
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	1.88	4.70
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	7.76%	2.50%