Merck (MRK) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)
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 Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) over the past year, gaining 64.8% versus a loss of 36.0%. Over five years, MRK leads with a +81.8% price change compared with -25.4% for NVO. Merck is the larger company by market cap ($351.28 billion vs $168.54 billion), about 2.1 times the size.
On valuation, Novo Nordisk A/S trades at a lower forward P/E (11.5x vs 15.2x for Merck). Novo Nordisk A/S offers the higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.33%).
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 | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $142.38 | $38.18 |
| Market cap | $351.28B | $168.54B |
| 1-day change | -0.29% | -0.21% |
| YTD return | +35.27% | -24.96% |
| 1-year return | +64.79% | -35.95% |
| 5-year return | +81.77% | -25.39% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 113.00 | 9.33 |
| Forward P/E | 15.19 | 11.53 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.26 | $4.09 |
| Dividend yield | 2.33% | 30.64% |
| Annual dividend | $3.32 | $11.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $65.01B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.31% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $18.25B | — |
| Gross margin | 74.80% | — |
| Net margin | 28.08% | — |
| 52-week high | $156.92 | $64.16 |
| 52-week low | $82.01 | $35.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.27% | -40.49% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.76% | +20.67% |
| Average volume | 9.79M | 12.64M |
| Shares outstanding | 2.47B | 3.34B |
| Employees | 73,000 | 66,700 |
| 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
- Merck is about 2.1 times larger than Novo Nordisk A/S by market value ($351.28B vs $168.54B).
- MRK has outperformed NVO by 100.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Merck trades at a higher earnings multiple (113.0x vs 9.3x trailing P/E).
- Novo Nordisk A/S offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.33%).
About Merck
MRK stock →Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 73,000 employees
About Novo Nordisk A/S
NVO stock →Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products. It operates through two segments, Obesity and Diabetes Care, and Rare Disease.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 66,700 employees
MRK vs NVO FAQ
Which is bigger, Merck or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Merck (MRK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $351.28B compared with $168.54B for Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MRK or NVO?
MRK returned +64.79% over the past 12 months, compared with -35.95% for NVO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MRK or NVO?
NVO has the lower trailing P/E at 9.3, 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, Merck or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novo Nordisk A/S has the higher yield at 30.64%, compared with 2.33% for Merck.
Are Merck and Novo Nordisk A/S in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.