Is CVS or MRK cheaper?

On trailing earnings, MRK is cheaper: CVS trades at a 44.92 P/E and MRK at 33.54.

Which has grown faster, CVS or MRK?

Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.52% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.

Does CVS or MRK pay a bigger dividend?

CVS yields 2.61% and MRK yields 2.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is CVS or MRK more profitable?

MRK runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus MRK at 13.62%.

Which has been the better investment, CVS or MRK?

Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.66% versus MRK at 11.57%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

CVS Health Corporation (CVS) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

MRK leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health 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).

CVS

CVS Health Corporation

Total return — CVS vs MRK

growth of $100 · last 30y

CVS +882.3%MRK +287.9%CVS compounded faster

CVS MRK

CVS vs MRK: by the numbers

•MRK is the larger company ($294.03B vs $130.09B market cap).
•MRK trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.54 vs 44.92 P/E).
•MRK converts more revenue to profit (13.62% vs 0.72% net margin).
•MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.79% vs 2.61%).

Which is better, CVS or MRK?

Metric tally: CVS 4 · MRK 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMRK(lower P/E)

IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)

QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	CVS	MRK
P/E ratio	44.92	33.54●
Forward P/E	12.17	12.35
P/S ratio	0.32●	4.49
P/B ratio	1.68●	6.41
PEG ratio	—	1.81
EV / EBITDA	17.90●	19.58
FCF yield	5.67%●	4.80%

Profitability

Metric	CVS	MRK
Gross margin	13.87%	75.91%●
Operating margin	1.46%	27.59%●
Net margin	0.72%	13.62%●
ROE	3.79%	19.48%●
ROIC	4.72%	18.27%●

Dividends

Metric	CVS	MRK
Dividend yield	2.61%	2.79%●
Payout ratio	190.00%	45.48%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	CVS	MRK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	8.52%	8.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	-23.89%	21.21%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-10.57%	15.69%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	7.06%	12.79%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, CVS or MRK?: It depends on your goal. value: MRK (lower P/E); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 10 to 4.
Is CVS or MRK cheaper?: On trailing earnings, MRK is cheaper: CVS trades at a 44.92 P/E and MRK at 33.54.
Which has grown faster, CVS or MRK?: Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.52% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
Does CVS or MRK pay a bigger dividend?: CVS yields 2.61% and MRK yields 2.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CVS or MRK more profitable?: MRK runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus MRK at 13.62%.
Which has been the better investment, CVS or MRK?: Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.66% versus MRK at 11.57%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full CVS analysis Full MRK analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

CVS Health & Merck & appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Highest ROIC Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks Largest Companies by Market Cap

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.