Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

A side-by-side comparison of Amazon.com, Inc. and Merck & Co., Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare
Different business models: AMZN is classified in Consumer Cyclical; MRK is classified in Healthcare. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.

Total returnAMZN vs MRK

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 29y
AMZN +236212.4%MRK +665.7%AMZN compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100k1MStart $10020022007201220172022$236,312$766
AMZN MRK

AMZN vs MRK: by the numbers

  • AMZN is the larger company ($2.48T vs $325.61B market cap).
  • AMZN trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.68 vs 36.83 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • MRK converts more revenue to profit (13.62% vs 12.22% net margin).
  • AMZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.13% vs 8.60% CAGR).
  • MRK pays a dividend (2.57% yield), while AMZN has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAMZNMRK
P/E ratio27.6836.83
Forward P/E26.1847.09
P/S ratio3.394.93
P/B ratio5.697.05
PEG ratio1.101.81
EV / EBITDA16.8415.16
FCF yieldN/A4.37%

Profitability

MetricAMZNMRK
Gross margin50.60%75.91%
Operating margin11.50%36.17%
Net margin12.22%13.62%
ROE20.55%19.48%
ROIC10.70%18.27%

Dividends

MetricAMZNMRK
Dividend yieldN/A2.57%
Payout ratioN/A46.03%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAMZNMRK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.13%8.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)27.90%21.21%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-21.57%15.69%
Total return CAGR (5Y)5.00%14.44%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, AMZN or MRK?
AMZN has the lower trailing P/E: AMZN trades at 27.68 and MRK at 36.83. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, AMZN or MRK?
Over the past five years, AMZN grew revenue faster — AMZN at a 12.13% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
Does AMZN or MRK pay a bigger dividend?
MRK pays a dividend (2.57% yield), while AMZN has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is AMZN or MRK more profitable?
MRK runs the higher net margin — AMZN at 12.22% versus MRK at 13.62%.
How have AMZN and MRK total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, AMZN delivered 20.18% and MRK delivered 12.27% annualized total return. 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 July 28, 2026.