Is AZN or MRK cheaper?

On trailing earnings, AZN is cheaper: AZN trades at a 26.92 P/E and MRK at 33.54.

Which has grown faster, AZN or MRK?

Over the past five years, AZN grew revenue faster — AZN at a 16.99% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.

Does AZN or MRK pay a bigger dividend?

AZN yields 1.79% and MRK yields 2.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is AZN or MRK more profitable?

AZN runs the higher net margin — AZN at 17.19% versus MRK at 13.62%.

Which has been the better investment, AZN or MRK?

Over the past 10-year, AZN delivered the higher annualized total return — AZN at 15.77% versus MRK at 11.57%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

AZN leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of AstraZeneca PLC 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 — AZN vs MRK

growth of $100 · last 30y

AZN +723.4%MRK +287.9%AZN compounded faster

AZN MRK

AZN vs MRK: by the numbers

•MRK is the larger company ($294.03B vs $277.22B market cap).
•AZN trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.92 vs 33.54 P/E).
•AZN converts more revenue to profit (17.19% vs 13.62% net margin).
•AZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.99% vs 8.60% CAGR).
•MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.79% vs 1.79%).

Which is better, AZN or MRK?

Metric tally: AZN 10 · MRK 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAZN(lower P/E)

GrowthAZN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)

QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	AZN	MRK
P/E ratio	26.92●	33.54
Forward P/E	15.33	12.35●
P/S ratio	4.62	4.49●
P/B ratio	5.90●	6.41
PEG ratio	0.14●	1.81
EV / EBITDA	14.92●	19.58
FCF yield	3.26%	4.80%●

Profitability

Metric	AZN	MRK
Gross margin	81.68%●	75.91%
Operating margin	23.69%	27.59%●
Net margin	17.19%●	13.62%
ROE	21.95%●	19.48%
ROIC	13.03%	18.27%●

Dividends

Metric	AZN	MRK
Dividend yield	1.79%	2.79%●
Payout ratio	48.48%	45.48%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AZN	MRK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	16.99%●	8.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	22.02%●	21.21%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	18.52%●	15.69%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	11.03%	12.79%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, AZN or MRK?: It depends on your goal. value: AZN (lower P/E); growth: AZN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AZN leads 10 to 7.
Is AZN or MRK cheaper?: On trailing earnings, AZN is cheaper: AZN trades at a 26.92 P/E and MRK at 33.54.
Which has grown faster, AZN or MRK?: Over the past five years, AZN grew revenue faster — AZN at a 16.99% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
Does AZN or MRK pay a bigger dividend?: AZN yields 1.79% and MRK yields 2.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AZN or MRK more profitable?: AZN runs the higher net margin — AZN at 17.19% versus MRK at 13.62%.
Which has been the better investment, AZN or MRK?: Over the past 10-year, AZN delivered the higher annualized total return — AZN at 15.77% versus MRK at 11.57%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AZN analysis Full MRK analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

AstraZeneca & Merck & appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Fastest Revenue Growth Stocks 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 13, 2026.