Merck (MRK) vs Pfizer (PFE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Merck (MRK) has outperformed Pfizer (PFE) over the past year, gaining 63.0% versus a gain of 6.6%. Over five years, MRK leads with a +82.3% price change compared with -32.5% for PFE. Merck is the larger company by market cap ($352.29 billion vs $159.59 billion), about 2.2 times the size.
On valuation, Pfizer trades at a lower forward P/E (9.7x vs 15.1x for Merck). Pfizer offers the higher dividend yield (6.14% vs 2.33%). Merck converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 28.1% versus 12.4%.
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 | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $142.79 | $28.00 |
| Market cap | $352.29B | $159.59B |
| 1-day change | +0.60% | +1.82% |
| YTD return | +35.65% | +12.45% |
| 1-year return | +62.98% | +6.59% |
| 5-year return | +82.29% | -32.51% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 113.33 | 36.36 |
| Forward P/E | 15.08 | 9.67 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.26 | $0.77 |
| Dividend yield | 2.33% | 6.14% |
| Annual dividend | $3.32 | $1.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $65.01B | $62.58B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.31% | -1.65% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $18.25B | $7.77B |
| Gross margin | 74.80% | 74.33% |
| Net margin | 28.08% | 12.42% |
| 52-week high | $156.92 | $29.21 |
| 52-week low | $82.01 | $23.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.00% | -4.14% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.45% | +3.25% |
| Average volume | 9.82M | 36.02M |
| Shares outstanding | 2.47B | 5.70B |
| Employees | 73,000 | 75,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Healthcare |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations | Drug Manufacturers - General |
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 2.2 times larger than Pfizer by market value ($352.29B vs $159.59B).
- MRK has outperformed PFE by 56.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Merck trades at a higher earnings multiple (113.3x vs 36.4x trailing P/E).
- Pfizer offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.14% vs 2.33%).
- Merck is more profitable, keeping 28.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.4 cents for Pfizer.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Merck in Health Care and Pfizer in Healthcare.
About Merck
MRK stock →Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 73,000 employees
About Pfizer
PFE stock →Pfizer Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States and internationally.
Healthcare · Drug Manufacturers - General · 75,000 employees
MRK vs PFE FAQ
Which is bigger, Merck or Pfizer?
Merck (MRK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $352.29B compared with $159.59B for Pfizer (PFE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MRK or PFE?
MRK returned +62.98% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.59% for PFE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MRK or PFE?
PFE has the lower trailing P/E at 36.4, 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, Merck or Pfizer?
Pfizer has the higher yield at 6.14%, compared with 2.33% for Merck.
Are Merck and Pfizer in the same industry?
No. Merck is in the Health Care sector, while Pfizer is in Healthcare.