Is DHR or MRK cheaper?

On trailing earnings, MRK is cheaper: DHR trades at a 39.43 P/E and MRK at 35.92.

Which has grown faster, DHR or MRK?

Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — DHR at a -0.02% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.

Does DHR or MRK pay a bigger dividend?

DHR yields 0.67% and MRK yields 2.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is DHR or MRK more profitable?

DHR runs the higher net margin — DHR at 14.89% versus MRK at 13.62%.

Which has been the better investment, DHR or MRK?

Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — DHR at 11.44% versus MRK at 11.72%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Danaher Corporation (DHR) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

MRK leads on 14 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Danaher Corporation and Merck & Co., Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

DHR

Danaher Corporation

$142.34B

$201.11HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

MRK

Merck & Co., Inc.

$307.27B

$124.41HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 20, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT

Total return — DHR vs MRK

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y

DHR +7009.2%MRK +1018.6%DHR compounded faster

Log scale — wide-divergence pair

DHR MRK

DHR vs MRK: by the numbers

•MRK is the larger company ($307.27B vs $142.34B market cap).
•MRK trades at the lower earnings multiple (35.92 vs 39.43 P/E).
•DHR converts more revenue to profit (14.89% vs 13.62% net margin).
•MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs -0.02% CAGR).
•MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.64% vs 0.67%).

Which is better, DHR or MRK?

Metric tally: DHR 3 · MRK 14

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMRK(lower P/E)

GrowthMRK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)

QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	DHR	MRK
P/E ratio	39.43	35.92●
Forward P/E	24.11●	45.79
P/S ratio	5.85	4.81●
P/B ratio	2.74●	6.87
PEG ratio	98.56	1.81●
EV / EBITDA	21.79	14.83●
FCF yield	3.65%	4.48%●

Profitability

Metric	DHR	MRK
Gross margin	60.68%	75.91%●
Operating margin	20.95%	36.17%●
Net margin	14.89%●	13.62%
ROE	6.97%	19.48%●
ROIC	5.72%	18.27%●

Dividends

Metric	DHR	MRK
Dividend yield	0.67%	2.64%●
Payout ratio	26.82%	46.03%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	DHR	MRK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	-0.02%	8.60%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	0.40%	21.21%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-0.45%	15.69%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-3.77%	13.90%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, DHR or MRK?: It depends on your goal. value: MRK (lower P/E); growth: MRK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 14 to 3.
Is DHR or MRK cheaper?: On trailing earnings, MRK is cheaper: DHR trades at a 39.43 P/E and MRK at 35.92.
Which has grown faster, DHR or MRK?: Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — DHR at a -0.02% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
Does DHR or MRK pay a bigger dividend?: DHR yields 0.67% and MRK yields 2.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DHR or MRK more profitable?: DHR runs the higher net margin — DHR at 14.89% versus MRK at 13.62%.
Which has been the better investment, DHR or MRK?: Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — DHR at 11.44% versus MRK at 11.72%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full DHR analysis Full MRK analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

Danaher & Merck & appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Highest ROIC Stocks Highest Operating Margin 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 July 20, 2026.