Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO)
MRK leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics, though TMO is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Merck & Co., Inc. and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 18, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
$115.44Healthcare
TMO
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
$461.69Healthcare
Total return — MRK vs TMO
growth of $100 · last 30yMRK +281.4%TMO +1205.7%TMO compounded faster
MRK TMO
MRK vs TMO: by the numbers
- •MRK is the larger company ($285.24B vs $171.57B market cap).
- •TMO trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.38 vs 32.52 P/E).
- •TMO converts more revenue to profit (15.18% vs 13.62% net margin).
- •MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 6.68% CAGR).
- •MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.91% vs 0.39%).
Which is better, MRK or TMO?
Metric tally: MRK 13 · TMO 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueTMO(lower P/E)
GrowthMRK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)
QualityMRK(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | MRK | TMO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.52 | 25.38● |
| Forward P/E | 11.97● | 16.98 |
| P/S ratio | 4.35 | 3.81● |
| P/B ratio | 6.22 | 3.32● |
| PEG ratio | 1.81● | 4.51 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.53● | 19.01 |
| FCF yield | 4.95%● | 3.92% |
Profitability
| Metric | MRK | TMO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 75.91%● | 39.41% |
| Operating margin | 27.59%● | 17.76% |
| Net margin | 13.62% | 15.18%● |
| ROE | 19.48%● | 13.21% |
| ROIC | 18.27%● | 7.58% |
Dividends
| Metric | MRK | TMO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.91%● | 0.39% |
| Payout ratio | 46.03% | 10.13% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MRK | TMO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.60%● | 6.68% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 21.21%● | 1.99% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.69%● | -0.19% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.80%● | -0.75% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, MRK or TMO?
- It depends on your goal. value: TMO (lower P/E); growth: MRK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 13 to 4.
- Is MRK or TMO cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, TMO is cheaper: MRK trades at a 32.52 P/E and TMO at 25.38.
- Which has grown faster, MRK or TMO?
- Over the past five years, MRK grew revenue faster — MRK at a 8.60% CAGR versus TMO at 6.68%.
- Does MRK or TMO pay a bigger dividend?
- MRK yields 2.91% and TMO yields 0.39% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is MRK or TMO more profitable?
- TMO runs the higher net margin — MRK at 13.62% versus TMO at 15.18%.
- Which has been the better investment, MRK or TMO?
- Over the past 10-year, TMO delivered the higher annualized total return — MRK at 11.40% versus TMO at 12.51%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Merck & P/E ratioThermo Fisher Scientific P/E ratioMerck & dividend yieldThermo Fisher Scientific dividend yieldMerck & ROEThermo Fisher Scientific ROEMerck & operating marginThermo Fisher Scientific operating marginMerck & revenue growthThermo Fisher Scientific revenue growthMerck & free cash flowThermo Fisher Scientific free cash flow
Merck & & Thermo Fisher Scientific 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 June 18, 2026.