Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
GILD leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Merck & Co., Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — GILD vs MRK
growth of $100 · last 30yGILD +16647.7%MRK +278.8%GILD compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
GILD MRK
GILD vs MRK: by the numbers
- •MRK is the larger company ($283.78B vs $154.33B market cap).
- •GILD trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.93 vs 32.37 P/E).
- •GILD converts more revenue to profit (30.99% vs 13.62% net margin).
- •MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 3.07% CAGR).
- •MRK pays the higher dividend yield (3.63% vs 2.59%).
Which is better, GILD or MRK?
Metric tally: GILD 11 · MRK 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueGILD(lower P/E)
GrowthMRK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)
QualityGILD(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | GILD | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 16.93● | 32.37 |
| Forward P/E | 12.81 | 11.92● |
| P/S ratio | 5.24 | 4.33● |
| P/B ratio | 6.63 | 6.19● |
| PEG ratio | 0.01● | 1.81 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.79● | 18.99 |
| FCF yield | 6.56%● | 4.97% |
Profitability
| Metric | GILD | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 79.35%● | 75.91% |
| Operating margin | 38.26%● | 27.59% |
| Net margin | 30.99%● | 13.62% |
| ROE | 39.19%● | 19.48% |
| ROIC | 21.53%● | 18.27% |
Dividends
| Metric | GILD | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.59% | 3.63%● |
| Payout ratio | 47.08% | 57.12% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | GILD | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.07% | 8.60%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 133.83%● | 21.21% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.30% | 15.69%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.97%● | 12.14% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, GILD or MRK?
- It depends on your goal. value: GILD (lower P/E); growth: MRK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: GILD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, GILD leads 11 to 6.
- Is GILD or MRK cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, GILD is cheaper: GILD trades at a 16.93 P/E and MRK at 32.37.
- Which has grown faster, GILD or MRK?
- Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — GILD at a 3.07% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
- Does GILD or MRK pay a bigger dividend?
- GILD yields 2.59% and MRK yields 3.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is GILD or MRK more profitable?
- GILD runs the higher net margin — GILD at 30.99% versus MRK at 13.62%.
- Which has been the better investment, GILD or MRK?
- Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — GILD at 7.87% versus MRK at 11.31%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Gilead Sciences P/E ratioMerck & P/E ratioGilead Sciences dividend yieldMerck & dividend yieldGilead Sciences ROEMerck & ROEGilead Sciences operating marginMerck & operating marginGilead Sciences revenue growthMerck & revenue growthGilead Sciences free cash flowMerck & free cash flow
Gilead Sciences & 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 15, 2026.