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.

Compare

Total returnMRK vs TMO

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
MRK +981.4%TMO +1765.4%TMO compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,081$1,865
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

MetricMRKTMO
P/E ratio36.6830.89
Forward P/E47.1022.90
P/S ratio4.914.60
P/B ratio7.024.04
PEG ratio1.814.54
EV / EBITDA15.1123.96
FCF yield4.39%3.43%

Profitability

MetricMRKTMO
Gross margin75.91%40.37%
Operating margin36.17%17.69%
Net margin13.62%15.06%
ROE19.48%13.24%
ROIC18.27%7.58%

Dividends

MetricMRKTMO
Dividend yield2.58%0.31%
Payout ratio46.03%10.13%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMRKTMO
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.

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.