Cincinnati Financial Corporation (CINF) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
A side-by-side comparison of Cincinnati Financial Corporation 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.
Different business models: CINF is classified in Financial Services; MRK is classified in Healthcare. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
CINF
Cincinnati Financial Corporation
$182.63Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
$131.84HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — CINF vs MRK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCINF +2605.4%MRK +990.2%CINF compounded faster
CINF MRK
CINF vs MRK: by the numbers
- •MRK is the larger company ($325.61B vs $28.25B market cap).
- •CINF trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (8.69 vs 36.83 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CINF converts more revenue to profit (23.84% vs 13.62% net margin).
- •MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 8.12% CAGR).
- •MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.57% vs 1.96%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CINF | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 8.69 | 36.83 |
| Forward P/E | 21.08 | 47.09 |
| P/S ratio | 2.06 | 4.93 |
| P/B ratio | 1.72 | 7.05 |
| PEG ratio | 3.03 | 1.81 |
| EV / EBITDA | N/A | 15.16 |
| FCF yield | N/A | 4.37% |
Profitability
| Metric | CINF | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 52.29% | 75.91% |
| Operating margin | 29.83% | 36.17% |
| Net margin | 23.84% | 13.62% |
| ROE | 19.96% | 19.48% |
| ROIC | 10.68% | 18.27% |
Dividends
| Metric | CINF | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.96% | 2.57% |
| Payout ratio | 23.86% | 46.03% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CINF | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.12% | 8.60% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.01% | 21.21% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 15.69% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.76% | 14.44% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CINF or MRK?
- CINF has the lower trailing P/E: CINF trades at 8.69 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, CINF or MRK?
- Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — CINF at a 8.12% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
- Does CINF or MRK pay a bigger dividend?
- CINF yields 1.96% and MRK yields 2.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CINF or MRK more profitable?
- CINF runs the higher net margin — CINF at 23.84% versus MRK at 13.62%.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cincinnati Financial P/E ratioMerck & P/E ratioCincinnati Financial dividend yieldMerck & dividend yieldCincinnati Financial ROEMerck & ROECincinnati Financial operating marginMerck & operating marginCincinnati Financial revenue growthMerck & revenue growthCincinnati Financial free cash flowMerck & free cash flow
Cincinnati Financial & 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 July 28, 2026.