ABCL vs. MRK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ABCL (AbCellera Biologics Inc.) and MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — ABCL in Biotechnology, MRK in Drug Manufacturers - General. Over the past 5 years, ABCL returned -26.11%/yr vs 12.62%/yr for MRK. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ABCL vs. MRK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AbCellera Biologics Inc. (ABCL) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ABCL achieves a 67.25% return, which is significantly higher than MRK's 9.78% return.

ABCL

• 1D: -6.69%
• 1M: 24.62%
• YTD: 67.25%
• 6M: 63.90%
• 1Y: 147.62%
• 3Y*: -5.56%
• 5Y*: -26.11%
• 10Y*: —

MRK

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 1.41%
• YTD: 9.78%
• 6M: 13.95%
• 1Y: 54.09%
• 3Y*: 3.77%
• 5Y*: 12.62%
• 10Y*: 11.18%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ABCL vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ABCL AbCellera Biologics Inc.	67.25%	16.72%	-48.69%	-43.63%	-29.16%	-64.46%	-31.68%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.	9.78%	9.79%	-6.26%	1.01%	49.42%	1.75%	-0.62%

Correlation

The correlation between ABCL and MRK is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2020	0.03

Fundamentals

Market Cap ABCL : $1.73B MRK : $283.54B
EPS ABCL : -$0.48 MRK : $3.58
PS Ratio ABCL : 21.65 MRK : 4.36
PB Ratio ABCL : 1.85 MRK : 6.18
Total Revenue (TTM) ABCL : $79.21M MRK : $65.59B
Gross Profit (TTM) ABCL : $70.89M MRK : $49.79B
EBITDA (TTM) ABCL : -$166.07M MRK : $22.69B

Return for Risk

ABCL vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ABCL

ABCL Risk / Return Rank: 81
ABCL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
ABCL Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
ABCL Omega Ratio Rank: 79
ABCL Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ABCL Martin Ratio Rank: 74

MRK

MRK Risk / Return Rank: 87
MRK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
MRK Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
MRK Omega Ratio Rank: 84
MRK Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
MRK Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ABCL vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AbCellera Biologics Inc. (ABCL) 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.

	ABCL	MRK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.02	-0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	2.94	-0.32
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.35	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	4.78	-2.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.94	12.00	-7.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ABCL vs. MRK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABCL Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the MRK Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABCL and MRK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ABCL	MRK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	2.02	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.39	0.54	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.50	0.48	-0.98

Drawdowns

ABCL vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABCL drawdown since its inception was -96.72%, which is greater than MRK's maximum drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABCL and MRK.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABCL	MRK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.72%	-68.61%	-28.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-54.94%	-11.37%	-43.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-75.72%	-43.44%	-32.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-92.64%	-43.44%	-49.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-90.29%	-8.50%	-81.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-83.59%	-18.84%	-64.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	30.01%	4.52%	+25.49%

Volatility

ABCL vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison

AbCellera Biologics Inc. (ABCL) has a higher volatility of 28.65% compared to Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) at 8.21%. This indicates that ABCL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MRK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ABCL	MRK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	28.65%	8.21%	+20.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	52.34%	17.62%	+34.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	79.56%	26.92%	+52.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	66.48%	23.62%	+42.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	70.07%	22.91%	+47.16%

Dividends

ABCL vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison

ABCL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MRK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.89%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABCL AbCellera Biologics Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.	2.89%	3.12%	3.14%	2.72%	2.52%	3.41%	3.03%	2.48%	2.60%	3.36%	3.14%	3.43%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABCL and MRK in my portfolio?

ABCL and MRK have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ABCL or MRK?

ABCL has higher volatility (28.65%) compared to MRK (8.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABCL dropped -96.72% vs MRK's -68.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 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.