Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO)
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 August 2, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
$130.20HealthcareAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
TMO
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
$574.30HealthcareAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — MRK vs TMO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yMRK +981.4%TMO +1765.4%TMO compounded faster
MRK TMO
MRK vs TMO: by the numbers
- •MRK is the larger company ($321.62B vs $213.42B market cap).
- •TMO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (30.89 vs 36.68 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •TMO converts more revenue to profit (15.06% vs 13.62% net margin).
- •MRK grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.60% vs 5.00% CAGR).
- •MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.58% vs 0.31%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | MRK | TMO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.68 | 30.89 |
| Forward P/E | 47.10 | 22.90 |
| P/S ratio | 4.91 | 4.60 |
| P/B ratio | 7.02 | 4.04 |
| PEG ratio | 1.81 | 4.54 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.11 | 23.96 |
| FCF yield | 4.39% | 3.43% |
Profitability
| Metric | MRK | TMO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 75.91% | 40.37% |
| Operating margin | 36.17% | 17.69% |
| Net margin | 13.62% | 15.06% |
| ROE | 19.48% | 13.24% |
| ROIC | 18.27% | 7.58% |
Dividends
| Metric | MRK | TMO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.58% | 0.31% |
| Payout ratio | 46.03% | 10.13% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MRK | TMO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.60% | 5.00% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 21.21% | 1.99% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.69% | -1.83% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.62% | 1.52% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, MRK or TMO?
- TMO has the lower trailing P/E: MRK trades at 36.68 and TMO at 30.89. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- 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 5.00%.
- Does MRK or TMO pay a bigger dividend?
- MRK yields 2.58% and TMO yields 0.31% 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 15.06%.
- How have MRK and TMO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, MRK delivered 12.20% and TMO delivered 14.03% annualized total return. 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 August 2, 2026.