Is MRK or NVO cheaper?

On trailing earnings, NVO is cheaper: MRK trades at a 32.37 P/E and NVO at 10.19.

Which has grown faster, MRK or NVO?

Over the past five years, NVO grew revenue faster — MRK at a 8.60% CAGR versus NVO at 20.73%.

Does MRK or NVO pay a bigger dividend?

MRK yields 2.92% and NVO yields 4.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is MRK or NVO more profitable?

NVO runs the higher net margin — MRK at 13.62% versus NVO at 37.14%.

Which has been the better investment, MRK or NVO?

Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — MRK at 11.05% versus NVO at 7.84%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)

NVO leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Merck & Co., Inc. and Novo Nordisk A/S across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — MRK vs NVO

growth of $100 · last 30y

MRK +279.4%NVO +6188.8%NVO compounded faster

Log scale — wide-divergence pair

MRK NVO

MRK vs NVO: by the numbers

•MRK is the larger company ($284.20B vs $193.53B market cap).
•NVO trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.19 vs 32.37 P/E).
•NVO converts more revenue to profit (37.14% vs 13.62% net margin).
•NVO grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.73% vs 8.60% CAGR).
•NVO pays the higher dividend yield (4.14% vs 2.92%).

Which is better, MRK or NVO?

Metric tally: MRK 5 · NVO 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNVO(lower P/E)

GrowthNVO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeNVO(higher dividend yield)

QualityNVO(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	MRK	NVO
P/E ratio	32.37	10.19●
Forward P/E	11.92	—
P/S ratio	4.33	3.78●
P/B ratio	6.19	6.19
PEG ratio	1.81●	8.17
EV / EBITDA	17.46	7.35●
FCF yield	4.97%●	2.50%

Profitability

Metric	MRK	NVO
Gross margin	75.91%	81.83%●
Operating margin	27.59%	45.21%●
Net margin	13.62%	37.14%●
ROE	19.48%	60.74%●
ROIC	18.27%	29.53%●

Dividends

Metric	MRK	NVO
Dividend yield	2.92%	4.14%●
Payout ratio	46.03%	49.80%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	MRK	NVO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	8.60%	20.73%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	21.21%●	19.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	15.69%●	-5.86%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	11.91%●	2.95%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MRK or NVO?: It depends on your goal. value: NVO (lower P/E); growth: NVO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NVO (higher dividend yield); quality: NVO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NVO leads 10 to 5.
Is MRK or NVO cheaper?: On trailing earnings, NVO is cheaper: MRK trades at a 32.37 P/E and NVO at 10.19.
Which has grown faster, MRK or NVO?: Over the past five years, NVO grew revenue faster — MRK at a 8.60% CAGR versus NVO at 20.73%.
Does MRK or NVO pay a bigger dividend?: MRK yields 2.92% and NVO yields 4.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MRK or NVO more profitable?: NVO runs the higher net margin — MRK at 13.62% versus NVO at 37.14%.
Which has been the better investment, MRK or NVO?: Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — MRK at 11.05% versus NVO at 7.84%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full MRK analysis Full NVO analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Merck & P/E ratio Novo Nordisk A/S P/E ratio Merck & dividend yield Novo Nordisk A/S dividend yield Merck & ROE Novo Nordisk A/S ROE Merck & operating margin Novo Nordisk A/S operating margin Merck & revenue growth Novo Nordisk A/S revenue growth Merck & free cash flow Novo Nordisk A/S free cash flow

Merck & & Novo Nordisk A/S appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Fastest Revenue Growth Stocks Highest ROE Stocks Highest ROIC 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 June 16, 2026.