AbbVie (ABBV) vs Merck (MRK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Merck (MRK) has outperformed AbbVie (ABBV) over the past year, gaining 63.0% versus a gain of 16.5%. Over five years, ABBV leads with a +148.2% price change compared with +82.3% for MRK. AbbVie is the larger company by market cap ($479.52 billion vs $352.29 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, Merck trades at a lower forward P/E (15.1x vs 16.7x for AbbVie). AbbVie offers the higher dividend yield (2.52% vs 2.33%). Merck converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 28.1% versus 6.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ABBV | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $271.36 | $142.79 |
| Market cap | $479.52B | $352.29B |
| 1-day change | +1.75% | +0.60% |
| YTD return | +18.76% | +35.65% |
| 1-year return | +16.55% | +62.98% |
| 5-year return | +148.20% | +82.29% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 76.44 | 113.33 |
| Forward P/E | 16.69 | 15.08 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.55 | $1.26 |
| Dividend yield | 2.52% | 2.33% |
| Annual dividend | $6.83 | $3.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $61.16B | $65.01B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.57% | +1.31% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.23B | $18.25B |
| Gross margin | 70.24% | 74.80% |
| Operating margin | 24.65% | — |
| Net margin | 6.91% | 28.08% |
| 52-week high | $274.94 | $156.92 |
| 52-week low | $190.75 | $82.01 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -1.30% | -9.00% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +3.48% | +9.45% |
| Average volume | 4.86M | 9.79M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.77B | 2.47B |
| Employees | 57,000 | 73,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- MRK has outperformed ABBV by 46.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Merck trades at a higher earnings multiple (113.3x vs 76.4x trailing P/E).
- Merck is more profitable, keeping 28.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.9 cents for AbbVie.
- AbbVie grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.57% vs +1.31%).
About AbbVie
ABBV stock →AbbVie Inc., a research-based biopharmaceutical company, engages in the research and development, manufacturing, commercializing, and sale of medicines and therapies worldwide. The company offers Skyrizi to treat autoimmune diseases; Rinvoq to treat inflammatory diseases; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; Venclexta to treat blood cancers; Elahere to treat various cancer; and Epkinly to treat lymphoma; and Emrelis for the treatment of lung cancer.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 57,000 employees
About Merck
MRK stock →Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 73,000 employees
ABBV vs MRK FAQ
Which is bigger, AbbVie or Merck?
AbbVie (ABBV) is larger, with a market capitalization of $479.52B compared with $352.29B for Merck (MRK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ABBV or MRK?
MRK returned +62.98% over the past 12 months, compared with +16.55% for ABBV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ABBV or MRK?
ABBV has the lower trailing P/E at 76.4, versus 113.3 for MRK. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AbbVie or Merck?
AbbVie has the higher yield at 2.52%, compared with 2.33% for Merck.
Are AbbVie and Merck in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.