AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
MRK leads on 11 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of AbbVie Inc. and Merck & Co., Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — ABBV vs MRK
growth of $100 · last 14yABBV +544.8%MRK +176.3%ABBV compounded faster
ABBV MRK
ABBV vs MRK: by the numbers
- •ABBV is the larger company ($402.35B vs $294.03B market cap).
- •MRK trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.54 vs 111.67 P/E).
- •MRK converts more revenue to profit (13.62% vs 5.79% net margin).
- •MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 4.59% CAGR).
- •ABBV pays the higher dividend yield (2.96% vs 2.79%).
Which is better, ABBV or MRK?
Metric tally: ABBV 3 · MRK 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMRK(lower P/E)
GrowthMRK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeABBV(higher dividend yield)
QualityMRK(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ABBV | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 111.67 | 33.54● |
| Forward P/E | — | 12.35 |
| P/S ratio | 6.43 | 4.49● |
| P/B ratio | 14.69 | 6.41● |
| PEG ratio | — | 1.81 |
| EV / EBITDA | 27.63 | 19.58● |
| FCF yield | 5.17%● | 4.80% |
Profitability
| Metric | ABBV | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 70.68% | 75.91%● |
| Operating margin | 27.60% | 27.59% |
| Net margin | 5.79% | 13.62%● |
| ROE | 13.23% | 19.48%● |
| ROIC | 12.97% | 18.27%● |
Dividends
| Metric | ABBV | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.96%● | 2.79% |
| Payout ratio | 284.39% | 45.48% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ABBV | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.59% | 8.60%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -2.79% | 21.21%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.24% | 15.69%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.95%● | 12.79% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ABBV or MRK?
- It depends on your goal. value: MRK (lower P/E); growth: MRK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ABBV (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 11 to 3.
- Is ABBV or MRK cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MRK is cheaper: ABBV trades at a 111.67 P/E and MRK at 33.54.
- Which has grown faster, ABBV or MRK?
- Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — ABBV at a 4.59% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
- Does ABBV or MRK pay a bigger dividend?
- ABBV yields 2.96% and MRK yields 2.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ABBV or MRK more profitable?
- MRK runs the higher net margin — ABBV at 5.79% versus MRK at 13.62%.
- Which has been the better investment, ABBV or MRK?
- Over the past 10-year, ABBV delivered the higher annualized total return — ABBV at 18.88% versus MRK at 11.57%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AbbVie P/E ratioMerck & P/E ratioAbbVie dividend yieldMerck & dividend yieldAbbVie ROEMerck & ROEAbbVie operating marginMerck & operating marginAbbVie revenue growthMerck & revenue growthAbbVie free cash flowMerck & free cash flow
AbbVie & Merck & appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.