Is ABT or MRK cheaper?

On trailing earnings, ABT is cheaper: ABT trades at a 24.70 P/E and MRK at 32.37.

Which has grown faster, ABT or MRK?

Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — ABT at a 3.87% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.

Does ABT or MRK pay a bigger dividend?

ABT yields 2.75% and MRK yields 3.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is ABT or MRK more profitable?

ABT runs the higher net margin — ABT at 13.91% versus MRK at 13.62%.

Which has been the better investment, ABT or MRK?

Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — ABT at 11.07% versus MRK at 11.31%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

MRK leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics, though ABT is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Abbott Laboratories and Merck & Co., Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — ABT vs MRK

growth of $100 · last 30y

ABT +817.0%MRK +278.8%ABT compounded faster

ABT MRK

ABT vs MRK: by the numbers

•MRK is the larger company ($283.78B vs $154.50B market cap).
•ABT trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.70 vs 32.37 P/E).
•ABT converts more revenue to profit (13.91% vs 13.62% net margin).
•MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 3.87% CAGR).
•MRK pays the higher dividend yield (3.63% vs 2.75%).

Which is better, ABT or MRK?

Metric tally: ABT 5 · MRK 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueABT(lower P/E)

GrowthMRK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)

QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	ABT	MRK
P/E ratio	24.70●	32.37
Forward P/E	14.65	11.92●
P/S ratio	3.43●	4.33
P/B ratio	2.98●	6.19
PEG ratio	3.00	1.81●
EV / EBITDA	17.38●	18.99
FCF yield	4.76%	4.97%●

Profitability

Metric	ABT	MRK
Gross margin	56.38%	75.91%●
Operating margin	18.17%	27.59%●
Net margin	13.91%●	13.62%
ROE	12.06%	19.48%●
ROIC	8.43%	18.27%●

Dividends

Metric	ABT	MRK
Dividend yield	2.75%	3.63%●
Payout ratio	65.24%	57.12%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	ABT	MRK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	3.87%	8.60%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	8.22%	21.21%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-0.61%	15.69%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-2.47%	12.14%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, ABT or MRK?: It depends on your goal. value: ABT (lower P/E); growth: MRK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 12 to 5.
Is ABT or MRK cheaper?: On trailing earnings, ABT is cheaper: ABT trades at a 24.70 P/E and MRK at 32.37.
Which has grown faster, ABT or MRK?: Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — ABT at a 3.87% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
Does ABT or MRK pay a bigger dividend?: ABT yields 2.75% and MRK yields 3.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ABT or MRK more profitable?: ABT runs the higher net margin — ABT at 13.91% versus MRK at 13.62%.
Which has been the better investment, ABT or MRK?: Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — ABT at 11.07% versus MRK at 11.31%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full ABT analysis Full MRK analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Abbott Laboratories P/E ratio Merck & P/E ratio Abbott Laboratories dividend yield Merck & dividend yield Abbott Laboratories ROE Merck & ROE Abbott Laboratories operating margin Merck & operating margin Abbott Laboratories revenue growth Merck & revenue growth Abbott Laboratories free cash flow Merck & free cash flow

Abbott Laboratories & Merck & appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Dividend Aristocrats Highest ROIC Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks

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 15, 2026.