Is HUM or MRK cheaper?

On trailing earnings, MRK is cheaper: HUM trades at a 40.56 P/E and MRK at 33.54.

Which has grown faster, HUM or MRK?

Over the past five years, HUM grew revenue faster — HUM at a 11.71% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.

Does HUM or MRK pay a bigger dividend?

HUM yields 0.93% and MRK yields 2.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is HUM or MRK more profitable?

MRK runs the higher net margin — HUM at 0.82% versus MRK at 13.62%.

Which has been the better investment, HUM or MRK?

Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — HUM at 8.24% versus MRK at 11.57%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Humana Inc. (HUM) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

MRK leads on 12 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Humana Inc. 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 — HUM vs MRK

growth of $100 · last 30y

HUM +1977.9%MRK +287.9%HUM compounded faster

Log scale — wide-divergence pair

HUM MRK

HUM vs MRK: by the numbers

•MRK is the larger company ($294.03B vs $45.53B market cap).
•MRK trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.54 vs 40.56 P/E).
•MRK converts more revenue to profit (13.62% vs 0.82% net margin).
•HUM grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.71% vs 8.60% CAGR).
•MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.79% vs 0.93%).

Which is better, HUM or MRK?

Metric tally: HUM 3 · MRK 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMRK(lower P/E)

GrowthHUM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)

QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	HUM	MRK
P/E ratio	40.56	33.54●
Forward P/E	23.94	12.35●
P/S ratio	0.33●	4.49
P/B ratio	2.46●	6.41
PEG ratio	—	1.81
EV / EBITDA	19.22	19.58
FCF yield	2.78%	4.80%●

Profitability

Metric	HUM	MRK
Gross margin	14.01%	75.91%●
Operating margin	1.01%	27.59%●
Net margin	0.82%	13.62%●
ROE	6.08%	19.48%●
ROIC	3.12%	18.27%●

Dividends

Metric	HUM	MRK
Dividend yield	0.93%	2.79%●
Payout ratio	35.87%	45.48%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	HUM	MRK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	11.71%●	8.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	-17.27%	21.21%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-17.19%	15.69%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-1.01%	12.79%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, HUM or MRK?: It depends on your goal. value: MRK (lower P/E); growth: HUM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 12 to 3.
Is HUM or MRK cheaper?: On trailing earnings, MRK is cheaper: HUM trades at a 40.56 P/E and MRK at 33.54.
Which has grown faster, HUM or MRK?: Over the past five years, HUM grew revenue faster — HUM at a 11.71% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
Does HUM or MRK pay a bigger dividend?: HUM yields 0.93% and MRK yields 2.79% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HUM or MRK more profitable?: MRK runs the higher net margin — HUM at 0.82% versus MRK at 13.62%.
Which has been the better investment, HUM or MRK?: Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — HUM at 8.24% versus MRK at 11.57%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full HUM analysis Full MRK analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

Humana & 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.