Cigna Corporation (CI) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

MRK leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though CI is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Cigna Corporation 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 — CI vs MRK

growth of $100 · last 30y
CI +2330.7%MRK +287.9%CI compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,431$388
CI MRK

CI vs MRK: by the numbers

  • MRK is the larger company ($294.03B vs $78.83B market cap).
  • CI trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.64 vs 33.54 P/E).
  • MRK converts more revenue to profit (13.62% vs 2.26% net margin).
  • CI grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.28% vs 8.60% CAGR).
  • MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.79% vs 2.06%).

Which is better, CI or MRK?

Metric tally: CI 8 · MRK 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCI(lower P/E)
GrowthCI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)
QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCIMRK
P/E ratio12.6433.54
Forward P/E8.9112.35
P/S ratio0.284.49
P/B ratio1.876.41
PEG ratio0.151.81
EV / EBITDA8.4119.58
FCF yield9.73%4.80%

Profitability

MetricCIMRK
Gross margin9.30%75.91%
Operating margin3.42%27.59%
Net margin2.26%13.62%
ROE14.90%19.48%
ROIC7.35%18.27%

Dividends

MetricCIMRK
Dividend yield2.06%2.79%
Payout ratio27.53%45.48%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCIMRK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.28%8.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-0.76%21.21%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.03%15.69%
Total return CAGR (5Y)6.19%12.79%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CI or MRK?
It depends on your goal. value: CI (lower P/E); growth: CI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 9 to 8.
Is CI or MRK cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CI is cheaper: CI trades at a 12.64 P/E and MRK at 33.54.
Which has grown faster, CI or MRK?
Over the past five years, CI grew revenue faster — CI at a 11.28% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
Does CI or MRK pay a bigger dividend?
CI yields 2.06% and MRK yields 2.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CI or MRK more profitable?
MRK runs the higher net margin — CI at 2.26% versus MRK at 13.62%.
Which has been the better investment, CI or MRK?
Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — CI at 9.91% 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.