Is MRK or PFE cheaper?

On trailing earnings, PFE is cheaper: MRK trades at a 33.54 P/E and PFE at 20.01.

Which has grown faster, MRK or PFE?

Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — MRK at a 8.60% CAGR versus PFE at 8.22%.

Does MRK or PFE pay a bigger dividend?

MRK yields 2.79% and PFE yields 6.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is MRK or PFE more profitable?

MRK runs the higher net margin — MRK at 13.62% versus PFE at 11.83%.

Which has been the better investment, MRK or PFE?

Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — MRK at 11.57% versus PFE at 2.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs Pfizer Inc. (PFE)

MRK leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though PFE is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Merck & Co., Inc. and Pfizer 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 — MRK vs PFE

growth of $100 · last 30y

MRK +287.9%PFE +128.5%MRK compounded faster

MRK PFE

MRK vs PFE: by the numbers

•MRK is the larger company ($294.03B vs $149.38B market cap).
•PFE trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.01 vs 33.54 P/E).
•MRK converts more revenue to profit (13.62% vs 11.83% net margin).
•MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 8.22% CAGR).
•PFE pays the higher dividend yield (6.56% vs 2.79%).

Which is better, MRK or PFE?

Metric tally: MRK 9 · PFE 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePFE(lower P/E)

GrowthMRK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomePFE(higher dividend yield)

QualityMRK(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	MRK	PFE
P/E ratio	33.54	20.01●
Forward P/E	12.35	9.25●
P/S ratio	4.49	2.37●
P/B ratio	6.41	1.67●
PEG ratio	1.81	—
EV / EBITDA	19.58	12.72●
FCF yield	4.80%	6.31%●

Profitability

Metric	MRK	PFE
Gross margin	75.91%●	69.35%
Operating margin	27.59%●	23.45%
Net margin	13.62%●	11.83%
ROE	19.48%●	8.31%
ROIC	18.27%●	8.84%

Dividends

Metric	MRK	PFE
Dividend yield	2.79%	6.56%●
Payout ratio	45.48%	126.47%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	MRK	PFE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	8.60%●	8.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	21.21%●	-3.78%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	15.69%●	-3.79%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	12.79%●	-3.33%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MRK or PFE?: It depends on your goal. value: PFE (lower P/E); growth: MRK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PFE (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 9 to 7.
Is MRK or PFE cheaper?: On trailing earnings, PFE is cheaper: MRK trades at a 33.54 P/E and PFE at 20.01.
Which has grown faster, MRK or PFE?: Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — MRK at a 8.60% CAGR versus PFE at 8.22%.
Does MRK or PFE pay a bigger dividend?: MRK yields 2.79% and PFE yields 6.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MRK or PFE more profitable?: MRK runs the higher net margin — MRK at 13.62% versus PFE at 11.83%.
Which has been the better investment, MRK or PFE?: Over the past 10-year, MRK delivered the higher annualized total return — MRK at 11.57% versus PFE at 2.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full MRK analysis Full PFE analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

Merck & & Pfizer 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.