Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)
MRK leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though UNH is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Merck & Co., Inc. and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 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).
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
$119.05Healthcare
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
$408.52Healthcare
Total return — MRK vs UNH
growth of $100 · last 30yMRK +287.9%UNH +6127.4%UNH compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
MRK UNH
MRK vs UNH: by the numbers
- •UNH is the larger company ($371.00B vs $294.03B market cap).
- •UNH trades at the lower earnings multiple (30.85 vs 33.54 P/E).
- •MRK converts more revenue to profit (13.62% vs 2.68% net margin).
- •UNH grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.33% vs 8.60% CAGR).
- •MRK pays the higher dividend yield (2.79% vs 2.16%).
Which is better, MRK or UNH?
Metric tally: MRK 10 · UNH 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueUNH(lower P/E)
GrowthUNH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMRK(higher dividend yield)
QualityMRK(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | MRK | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 33.54 | 30.85● |
| Forward P/E | 12.35● | 19.54 |
| P/S ratio | 4.49 | 0.83● |
| P/B ratio | 6.41 | 3.58● |
| PEG ratio | 1.81 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.58 | 18.34● |
| FCF yield | 4.80% | 5.29%● |
Profitability
| Metric | MRK | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 75.91%● | 18.80% |
| Operating margin | 27.59%● | 4.19% |
| Net margin | 13.62%● | 2.68% |
| ROE | 19.48%● | 11.59% |
| ROIC | 18.27%● | 8.23% |
Dividends
| Metric | MRK | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.79%● | 2.16% |
| Payout ratio | 45.48% | 66.82% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MRK | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.60% | 11.33%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 21.21%● | -4.06% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.69%● | -3.16% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.79%● | 2.28% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, MRK or UNH?
- It depends on your goal. value: UNH (lower P/E); growth: UNH (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MRK (higher dividend yield); quality: MRK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MRK leads 10 to 6.
- Is MRK or UNH cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, UNH is cheaper: MRK trades at a 33.54 P/E and UNH at 30.85.
- Which has grown faster, MRK or UNH?
- Over the past five years, UNH grew revenue faster — MRK at a 8.60% CAGR versus UNH at 11.33%.
- Does MRK or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
- MRK yields 2.79% and UNH yields 2.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is MRK or UNH more profitable?
- MRK runs the higher net margin — MRK at 13.62% versus UNH at 2.68%.
- Which has been the better investment, MRK or UNH?
- Over the past 10-year, UNH delivered the higher annualized total return — MRK at 11.57% versus UNH at 13.20%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Merck & P/E ratioUnitedHealth P/E ratioMerck & dividend yieldUnitedHealth dividend yieldMerck & ROEUnitedHealth ROEMerck & operating marginUnitedHealth operating marginMerck & revenue growthUnitedHealth revenue growthMerck & free cash flowUnitedHealth free cash flow
Merck & & UnitedHealth appear in these rankings
Highest Dividend Yield StocksHighest ROIC StocksHighest FCF Yield StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks
Related comparisons
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.