Basis: Latest reported fiscal year. Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
Is the return on equity (ROE) high or low?
The return on equity (ROE) of 19.48% is 30% below its 5-year average of 27.71%, around the middle of its 5-year range (0.97%–36.96%).
As of the fiscal period ended Wednesday, December 31, 2025. 45.63% below its 12-month average of 35.83%.
Annual fiscal-year return on equity; no daily interpolation.
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE)
19.48%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG TTM
35.83%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 3Y
26.05%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 5Y
27.71%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 10Y
23.11%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 15Y
19.52%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 20Y
21.18%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
-45.63%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
-25.22%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
-29.71%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
-15.72%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
-0.20%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
-8.03%
SECTOR MEDIAN · HEALTHCARE
10.89%
median of 79 covered companies
CURRENT VS SECTOR MEDIAN
+78.88%
vs the sector median at left
Merck & Co., Inc.
Market Cap
$321.62B
Return on Equity (ROE)
19.48%
TTM Avg
35.83%
3Y Avg
26.05%
5Y Avg
27.71%
Market Cap
$376.34B
Return on Equity (ROE)
13.51%
TTM Avg
14.18%
3Y Avg
19.86%
5Y Avg
21.18%
Market Cap
$213.42B
Return on Equity (ROE)
13.24%
TTM Avg
12.70%
3Y Avg
13.51%
5Y Avg
15.24%
Market Cap
$209.19B
Return on Equity (ROE)
60.74%
TTM Avg
61.58%
3Y Avg
67.05%
5Y Avg
123.42%
Market Cap
$207.87B
Return on Equity (ROE)
84.87%
TTM Avg
79.33%
3Y Avg
111.35%
5Y Avg
101.76%
Market Cap
$443.24B
Return on Equity (ROE)
-129.24%
TTM Avg
-0.29%
3Y Avg
28.74%
5Y Avg
37.53%
Market Cap
$182.90B
Return on Equity (ROE)
10.61%
TTM Avg
20.32%
3Y Avg
18.59%
5Y Avg
17.97%
Market Cap
$161.66B
Return on Equity (ROE)
39.19%
TTM Avg
19.98%
3Y Avg
21.60%
5Y Avg
19.44%
Market Cap
$142.54B
Return on Equity (ROE)
8.31%
TTM Avg
9.04%
3Y Avg
13.32%
5Y Avg
16.07%
| NAME | MARKET CAP | RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) | TTM | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) | $321.62B | 19.48% | 35.83% | 26.05% | 27.71% |
| UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)vs › | $376.34B | 13.51% | 14.18% | 19.86% | 21.18% |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO)vs › | $213.42B | 13.24% | 12.70% | 13.51% | 15.24% |
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)vs › | $209.19B | 60.74% | 61.58% | 67.05% | 123.42% |
| Amgen Inc. (AMGN)vs › | $207.87B | 84.87% | 79.33% | 111.35% | 101.76% |
| AbbVie Inc. (ABBV)vs › | $443.24B | -129.24% | -0.29% | 28.74% | 37.53% |
| Abbott Laboratories (ABT)vs › | $182.90B | 10.61% | 20.32% | 18.59% | 17.97% |
| Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)vs › | $161.66B | 39.19% | 19.98% | 21.60% | 19.44% |
| Pfizer Inc. (PFE)vs › | $142.54B | 8.31% | 9.04% | 13.32% | 16.07% |
| Danaher Corporation (DHR)vs › | $137.13B | 7.61% | 7.38% | 9.51% | 10.24% |
ROE
19.5%
ROA
6.9%
ROE = Net Income / Total Shareholders' Equity
Return on equity measures how efficiently a company generates profit from shareholders' equity. Higher ROE indicates better capital efficiency.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
| DATE | RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | 34.70% |
| 2024-12-31 | 36.96% |
| 2023-12-31 | 0.97% |
| 2022-12-31 | 31.57% |
| 2021-12-31 | 34.17% |
| 2020-12-31 | 27.91% |
| 2019-12-31 | 37.99% |
| 2018-12-31 | 23.30% |
| 2017-12-31 | 6.97% |
| 2016-12-31 | 9.78% |
| 2015-12-31 | 9.94% |
| 2014-12-31 | 24.50% |
| 2013-12-31 | 8.85% |
| 2012-12-31 | 11.63% |
| 2011-12-31 | 11.50% |
| 2010-12-31 | 1.58% |
| 2009-12-31 | 21.84% |
| 2008-12-31 | 41.62% |
| 2007-12-31 | 18.01% |
| 2006-12-31 | 25.25% |
| 2005-12-31 | 25.76% |
| 2004-12-31 | 33.72% |
| 2003-12-31 | 43.85% |
| 2002-12-31 | 39.28% |
| 2001-12-31 | 45.37% |
| 2000-12-31 | 45.99% |
| 1999-12-31 | 44.48% |
| 1998-12-31 | 41.00% |
| 1997-12-31 | 36.64% |
| 1996-12-31 | 32.42% |
