Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
A side-by-side comparison of Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. 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: KDP is classified in Consumer Defensive; MRK is classified in Healthcare. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
KDP
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.
$31.08Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
$131.84HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — KDP vs MRK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 18yKDP +3337.1%MRK +538.9%KDP compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
KDP MRK
KDP vs MRK: by the numbers
- •MRK is the larger company ($325.61B vs $42.29B market cap).
- •KDP trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (22.31 vs 36.83 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MRK converts more revenue to profit (13.62% vs 10.81% net margin).
- •MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 7.31% CAGR).
- •KDP pays the higher dividend yield (3.05% vs 2.57%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | KDP | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.31 | 36.83 |
| Forward P/E | 13.16 | 47.09 |
| P/S ratio | 2.42 | 4.93 |
| P/B ratio | 1.63 | 7.05 |
| PEG ratio | 0.41 | 1.81 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.03 | 15.16 |
| FCF yield | 3.85% | 4.37% |
Profitability
| Metric | KDP | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 53.78% | 75.91% |
| Operating margin | 21.29% | 36.17% |
| Net margin | 10.81% | 13.62% |
| ROE | 7.25% | 19.48% |
| ROIC | 5.62% | 18.27% |
Dividends
| Metric | KDP | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.05% | 2.57% |
| Payout ratio | 60.13% | 46.03% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KDP | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.31% | 8.60% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 10.23% | 21.21% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -5.79% | 15.69% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.20% | 14.44% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, KDP or MRK?
- KDP has the lower trailing P/E: KDP trades at 22.31 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, KDP or MRK?
- Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — KDP at a 7.31% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
- Does KDP or MRK pay a bigger dividend?
- KDP yields 3.05% and MRK yields 2.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is KDP or MRK more profitable?
- MRK runs the higher net margin — KDP at 10.81% versus MRK at 13.62%.
- How have KDP and MRK total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, KDP delivered 12.03% and MRK delivered 12.27% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Keurig Dr Pepper P/E ratioMerck & P/E ratioKeurig Dr Pepper dividend yieldMerck & dividend yieldKeurig Dr Pepper ROEMerck & ROEKeurig Dr Pepper operating marginMerck & operating marginKeurig Dr Pepper revenue growthMerck & revenue growthKeurig Dr Pepper free cash flowMerck & free cash flow
Keurig Dr Pepper & 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.