Which has the lower trailing P/E, KR or MRK?

KR has the lower trailing P/E: KR trades at 33.91 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, KR or MRK?

Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — KR at a 2.33% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.

Does KR or MRK pay a bigger dividend?

KR yields 2.41% and MRK yields 2.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is KR or MRK more profitable?

MRK runs the higher net margin — KR at 0.71% versus MRK at 13.62%.

How have KR and MRK total returns compared?

Over the past 10 years, KR delivered 7.90% and MRK delivered 12.27% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

The Kroger Co. (KR) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

A side-by-side comparison of The Kroger Co. 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: KR is classified in Consumer Defensive; MRK is classified in Healthcare. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.

The Kroger Co.

$36.26B

$59.19Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

MRK

Merck & Co., Inc.

$325.61B

$131.84HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT

Total return — KR vs MRK

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y

KR +1577.9%MRK +990.2%KR compounded faster

KR MRK

KR vs MRK: by the numbers

•MRK is the larger company ($325.61B vs $36.26B market cap).
•KR trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (33.91 vs 36.83 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
•MRK converts more revenue to profit (13.62% vs 0.71% net margin).
•MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 2.33% CAGR).
•MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.57% vs 2.41%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	KR	MRK
P/E ratio	33.91	36.83
Forward P/E	12.07	47.09
P/S ratio	0.24	4.93
P/B ratio	5.51	7.05
PEG ratio	N/A	1.81
EV / EBITDA	10.44	15.16
FCF yield	8.09%	4.37%

Profitability

Metric	KR	MRK
Gross margin	23.18%	75.91%
Operating margin	1.33%	36.17%
Net margin	0.71%	13.62%
ROE	16.27%	19.48%
ROIC	4.70%	18.27%

Dividends

Metric	KR	MRK
Dividend yield	2.41%	2.57%
Payout ratio	89.74%	46.03%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	KR	MRK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	2.33%	8.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	-13.96%	21.21%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-1.62%	15.69%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	10.73%	14.44%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, KR or MRK?: KR has the lower trailing P/E: KR trades at 33.91 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, KR or MRK?: Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — KR at a 2.33% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
Does KR or MRK pay a bigger dividend?: KR yields 2.41% and MRK yields 2.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is KR or MRK more profitable?: MRK runs the higher net margin — KR at 0.71% versus MRK at 13.62%.
How have KR and MRK total returns compared?: Over the past 10 years, KR delivered 7.90% and MRK delivered 12.27% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full KR analysis Full MRK analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

Kroger & 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 28, 2026.