Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
A side-by-side comparison of Meta Platforms, 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: META is classified in Communication Services; MRK is classified in Healthcare. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
META
Meta Platforms, Inc.
$593.41Communication ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
$131.84HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — META vs MRK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14yMETA +1470.4%MRK +467.5%META compounded faster
META MRK
META vs MRK: by the numbers
- •META is the larger company ($1.51T vs $325.61B market cap).
- •META trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.60 vs 36.83 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •META converts more revenue to profit (32.84% vs 13.62% net margin).
- •META grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.89% vs 8.60% CAGR).
- •MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.57% vs 0.35%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | META | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.60 | 36.83 |
| Forward P/E | 18.03 | 47.09 |
| P/S ratio | 7.08 | 4.93 |
| P/B ratio | 6.25 | 7.05 |
| PEG ratio | 1.16 | 1.81 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.51 | 15.16 |
| FCF yield | 3.17% | 4.37% |
Profitability
| Metric | META | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.94% | 75.91% |
| Operating margin | 41.21% | 36.17% |
| Net margin | 32.84% | 13.62% |
| ROE | 28.97% | 19.48% |
| ROIC | 17.95% | 18.27% |
Dividends
| Metric | META | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.35% | 2.57% |
| Payout ratio | 8.76% | 46.03% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | META | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 17.89% | 8.60% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 18.60% | 21.21% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 14.84% | 15.69% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.03% | 14.44% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, META or MRK?
- META has the lower trailing P/E: META trades at 21.60 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, META or MRK?
- Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — META at a 17.89% CAGR versus MRK at 8.60%.
- Does META or MRK pay a bigger dividend?
- META yields 0.35% and MRK yields 2.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is META or MRK more profitable?
- META runs the higher net margin — META at 32.84% versus MRK at 13.62%.
- How have META and MRK total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, META delivered 17.02% and MRK delivered 12.27% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Meta Platforms P/E ratioMerck & P/E ratioMeta Platforms dividend yieldMerck & dividend yieldMeta Platforms ROEMerck & ROEMeta Platforms operating marginMerck & operating marginMeta Platforms revenue growthMerck & revenue growthMeta Platforms free cash flowMerck & free cash flow
Meta Platforms & Merck & appear in these rankings
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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.