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 14y
ABBV +544.8%MRK +176.3%ABBV compounded faster
200400600Start $1002015201820212024$645$276
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 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMRK(lower P/E)
GrowthMRK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeABBV(higher dividend yield)
QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricABBVMRK
P/E ratio111.6733.54
Forward P/E12.35
P/S ratio6.434.49
P/B ratio14.696.41
PEG ratio1.81
EV / EBITDA27.6319.58
FCF yield5.17%4.80%

Profitability

MetricABBVMRK
Gross margin70.68%75.91%
Operating margin27.60%27.59%
Net margin5.79%13.62%
ROE13.23%19.48%
ROIC12.97%18.27%

Dividends

MetricABBVMRK
Dividend yield2.96%2.79%
Payout ratio284.39%45.48%

Growth (annualized)

MetricABBVMRK
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.

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.