AAPL vs. MRK
AAPL (Apple Inc) and MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) are both stocks. AAPL operates in Consumer Electronics (Technology), while MRK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare). Over the past 10 years, AAPL returned 29.36%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for MRK. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
AAPL vs. MRK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AAPL achieves a 7.29% return, which is significantly lower than MRK's 13.94% return. Over the past 10 years, AAPL has outperformed MRK with an annualized return of 29.36%, while MRK has yielded a comparatively lower 11.59% annualized return.
AAPL
- 1D
- -1.52%
- 1M
- -2.59%
- YTD
- 7.29%
- 6M
- 4.81%
- 1Y
- 46.73%
- 3Y*
- 17.21%
- 5Y*
- 18.59%
- 10Y*
- 29.36%
MRK
- 1D
- -1.42%
- 1M
- 4.94%
- YTD
- 13.94%
- 6M
- 20.60%
- 1Y
- 50.79%
- 3Y*
- 5.87%
- 5Y*
- 12.81%
- 10Y*
- 11.59%
AAPL vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAPL Apple Inc | 7.29% | 9.05% | 30.71% | 49.01% | -26.40% | 34.65% | 82.31% | 88.96% | -5.39% | 48.46% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 13.94% | 9.79% | -6.26% | 1.01% | 49.42% | 1.75% | -7.20% | 22.27% | 39.95% | -1.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between AAPL and MRK is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 1980 | 0.22 |
Fundamentals
AAPL:
$4.30T
MRK:
$294.29B
AAPL:
$8.24
MRK:
$3.58
AAPL:
35.35
MRK:
33.21
AAPL:
4.65
MRK:
0.03
AAPL:
9.60
MRK:
4.52
AAPL:
40.37
MRK:
6.41
AAPL:
$451.44B
MRK:
$65.59B
AAPL:
$216.07B
MRK:
$49.79B
AAPL:
$153.63B
MRK:
$22.69B
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Return for Risk
AAPL vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank
AAPL
MRK
AAPL vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Apple Inc (AAPL) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AAPL | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.33 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.40 | 4.49 | -1.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.47 | 11.22 | -2.74 |
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Drawdowns
AAPL vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AAPL drawdown since its inception was -81.80%, which is greater than MRK's maximum drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAPL and MRK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AAPL | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -81.80% | -68.61% | -13.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.80% | -11.37% | -2.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -33.36% | -43.44% | +10.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.36% | -43.44% | +10.08% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.52% | -43.44% | +4.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.64% | -5.03% | -2.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -29.59% | -18.83% | -10.76% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.53% | 4.54% | +0.99% |
Volatility
AAPL vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Apple Inc (AAPL) is 6.73%, while Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a volatility of 9.57%. This indicates that AAPL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MRK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AAPL | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.73% | 9.57% | -2.84% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.53% | 18.04% | -1.51% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.64% | 27.18% | -4.54% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.52% | 23.66% | +3.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.92% | 22.96% | +5.96% |
Dividends
AAPL vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison
AAPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than MRK's 2.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAPL Apple Inc | 0.36% | 0.38% | 0.40% | 0.49% | 0.70% | 0.49% | 0.61% | 1.04% | 1.79% | 1.45% | 1.93% | 1.93% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 2.79% | 3.12% | 3.14% | 2.72% | 2.52% | 3.41% | 3.03% | 2.48% | 2.60% | 3.36% | 3.14% | 3.43% |
Financials
AAPL vs. MRK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Apple Inc and Merck & Co., Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
AAPL vs. MRK - Profitability Comparison
AAPL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Apple Inc reported a gross profit of 54.78B and revenue of 111.18B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 49.3%.
MRK - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. reported a gross profit of 13.34B and revenue of 16.29B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 81.9%.
AAPL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Apple Inc reported an operating income of 35.89B and revenue of 111.18B, resulting in an operating margin of 32.3%.
MRK - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. reported an operating income of -1.88B and revenue of 16.29B, resulting in an operating margin of -11.6%.
AAPL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Apple Inc reported a net income of 29.58B and revenue of 111.18B, resulting in a net margin of 26.6%.
MRK - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. reported a net income of -4.24B and revenue of 16.29B, resulting in a net margin of -26.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions
AAPL and MRK have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MRK has higher volatility (9.57%) compared to AAPL (6.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAPL dropped -81.80% vs MRK's -68.61%.
AAPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.88), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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