Amgen Inc. (AMGN) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

MRK leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though AMGN is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Amgen 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 — AMGN vs MRK

growth of $100 · last 30y
AMGN +2282.3%MRK +287.9%AMGN compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,382$388
AMGN MRK

AMGN vs MRK: by the numbers

  • MRK is the larger company ($294.03B vs $191.70B market cap).
  • AMGN trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.72 vs 33.54 P/E).
  • AMGN converts more revenue to profit (20.95% vs 13.62% net margin).
  • MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 8.15% CAGR).
  • MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.79% vs 2.76%).

Which is better, AMGN or MRK?

Metric tally: AMGN 6 · MRK 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAMGN(lower P/E)
GrowthMRK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAMGNMRK
P/E ratio24.7233.54
Forward P/E15.1512.35
P/S ratio5.194.49
P/B ratio21.036.41
PEG ratio0.261.81
EV / EBITDA15.3219.58
FCF yield4.45%4.80%

Profitability

MetricAMGNMRK
Gross margin71.46%75.91%
Operating margin31.63%27.59%
Net margin20.95%13.62%
ROE84.87%19.48%
ROIC13.16%18.27%

Dividends

MetricAMGNMRK
Dividend yield2.76%2.79%
Payout ratio68.39%45.48%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAMGNMRK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.15%8.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)2.94%21.21%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.66%15.69%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.36%12.79%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AMGN or MRK?
It depends on your goal. value: AMGN (lower P/E); growth: MRK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 10 to 6.
Is AMGN or MRK cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AMGN is cheaper: AMGN trades at a 24.72 P/E and MRK at 33.54.
Which has grown faster, AMGN or MRK?
Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — AMGN at a 8.15% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
Does AMGN or MRK pay a bigger dividend?
AMGN yields 2.76% and MRK yields 2.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AMGN or MRK more profitable?
AMGN runs the higher net margin — AMGN at 20.95% versus MRK at 13.62%.
Which has been the better investment, AMGN or MRK?
Over the past 10-year, AMGN delivered the higher annualized total return — AMGN at 11.94% 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.