Eli Lilly (LLY) vs Merck (MRK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Merck (MRK) has outperformed Eli Lilly (LLY) over the past year, gaining 64.8% versus a gain of 38.3%. Over five years, LLY leads with a +391.7% price change compared with +81.8% for MRK. Eli Lilly is the larger company by market cap ($1.04 trillion vs $351.28 billion), about 3.0 times the size.
On valuation, Merck trades at a lower forward P/E (15.2x vs 24.6x for Eli Lilly). Merck offers the higher dividend yield (2.33% vs 0.55%). Eli Lilly converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 31.7% versus 28.1%.
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 | LLY | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $1,169.60 | $142.38 |
| Market cap | $1.04T | $351.28B |
| 1-day change | -1.61% | -0.29% |
| YTD return | +8.83% | +35.27% |
| 1-year return | +38.30% | +64.79% |
| 5-year return | +391.68% | +81.77% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 39.90 | 113.00 |
| Forward P/E | 24.55 | 15.19 |
| EPS (TTM) | $29.31 | $1.26 |
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 2.33% |
| Annual dividend | $6.46 | $3.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $65.18B | $65.01B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +44.70% | +1.31% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $20.64B | $18.25B |
| Gross margin | 83.04% | 74.80% |
| Net margin | 31.67% | 28.08% |
| 52-week high | $1,292.65 | $156.92 |
| 52-week low | $783.85 | $82.01 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.52% | -9.27% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.65% | +9.76% |
| Average volume | 2.49M | 9.79M |
| Shares outstanding | 891.74M | 2.47B |
| Employees | 50,000 | 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
- Eli Lilly is about 3.0 times larger than Merck by market value ($1.04T vs $351.28B).
- MRK has outperformed LLY by 26.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Merck trades at a higher earnings multiple (113.0x vs 39.9x trailing P/E).
- Merck offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.33% vs 0.55%).
- Eli Lilly grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+44.70% vs +1.31%).
About Eli Lilly
LLY stock →Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets human pharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and internationally. The company offers cardiometabolic health products, including Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 50,000 employees
About Merck
MRK stock →Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 73,000 employees
LLY vs MRK FAQ
Which is bigger, Eli Lilly or Merck?
Eli Lilly (LLY) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.04T compared with $351.28B for Merck (MRK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LLY or MRK?
MRK returned +64.79% over the past 12 months, compared with +38.30% for LLY (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LLY or MRK?
LLY has the lower trailing P/E at 39.9, versus 113.0 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, Eli Lilly or Merck?
Merck has the higher yield at 2.33%, compared with 0.55% for Eli Lilly.
Are Eli Lilly and Merck in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.