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 30yCI +2330.7%MRK +287.9%CI compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCI(lower P/E)
GrowthCI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)
QualityMRK(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CI | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.64● | 33.54 |
| Forward P/E | 8.91● | 12.35 |
| P/S ratio | 0.28● | 4.49 |
| P/B ratio | 1.87● | 6.41 |
| PEG ratio | 0.15● | 1.81 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.41● | 19.58 |
| FCF yield | 9.73%● | 4.80% |
Profitability
| Metric | CI | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 9.30% | 75.91%● |
| Operating margin | 3.42% | 27.59%● |
| Net margin | 2.26% | 13.62%● |
| ROE | 14.90% | 19.48%● |
| ROIC | 7.35% | 18.27%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CI | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.06% | 2.79%● |
| Payout ratio | 27.53% | 45.48% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CI | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cigna P/E ratioMerck & P/E ratioCigna dividend yieldMerck & dividend yieldCigna ROEMerck & ROECigna operating marginMerck & operating marginCigna revenue growthMerck & revenue growthCigna free cash flowMerck & free cash flow
Cigna & Merck & appear in these rankings
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.