CSCO vs. MRK
CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) and MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) are both stocks. CSCO operates in Communication Equipment (Technology), while MRK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare). Over the past 10 years, CSCO returned 18.92%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for MRK. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
CSCO vs. MRK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CSCO achieves a 58.91% return, which is significantly higher than MRK's 13.94% return. Over the past 10 years, CSCO has outperformed MRK with an annualized return of 18.92%, while MRK has yielded a comparatively lower 11.59% annualized return.
CSCO
- 1D
- -0.60%
- 1M
- 18.88%
- YTD
- 58.91%
- 6M
- 57.34%
- 1Y
- 90.30%
- 3Y*
- 37.33%
- 5Y*
- 20.60%
- 10Y*
- 18.92%
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%
CSCO vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc. | 58.91% | 33.47% | 21.00% | 9.30% | -22.46% | 45.76% | -3.49% | 13.81% | 16.57% | 31.27% |
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 CSCO and MRK is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.02 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.26 |
Over the past year, the correlation between CSCO and MRK has dropped to 0.02 - well below their long-term average of 0.26, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
CSCO:
$482.83B
MRK:
$294.29B
CSCO:
$3.00
MRK:
$3.58
CSCO:
40.40
MRK:
33.21
CSCO:
33.90
MRK:
0.03
CSCO:
7.95
MRK:
4.52
CSCO:
9.88
MRK:
6.41
CSCO:
$60.75B
MRK:
$65.59B
CSCO:
$39.08B
MRK:
$49.79B
CSCO:
$13.98B
MRK:
$22.69B
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Return for Risk
CSCO vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank
CSCO
MRK
CSCO vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) 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.
| CSCO | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.53 | 1.33 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.69 | 4.49 | +2.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.37 | 11.22 | +7.15 |
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Drawdowns
CSCO vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CSCO drawdown since its inception was -89.26%, which is greater than MRK's maximum drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSCO and MRK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CSCO | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -89.26% | -68.61% | -20.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.57% | -11.37% | -2.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.16% | -43.44% | +23.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.68% | -43.44% | +6.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.95% | -43.44% | +1.49% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.85% | -5.03% | -1.82% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.11% | -18.83% | -21.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.93% | 4.54% | +0.39% |
Volatility
CSCO vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison
Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) has a higher volatility of 17.31% compared to Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) at 9.57%. This indicates that CSCO'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.
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Volatility by Period
| CSCO | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.31% | 9.57% | +7.74% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 27.29% | 18.04% | +9.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.93% | 27.18% | +3.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.88% | 23.66% | +1.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.89% | 22.96% | +2.93% |
Dividends
CSCO vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison
CSCO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than MRK's 2.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc. | 1.36% | 2.12% | 2.69% | 3.07% | 3.17% | 2.32% | 3.20% | 2.88% | 2.95% | 2.95% | 3.28% | 3.02% |
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
CSCO vs. MRK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Cisco Systems, 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
CSCO vs. MRK - Profitability Comparison
CSCO - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported a gross profit of 10.08B and revenue of 15.84B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 63.6%.
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%.
CSCO - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported an operating income of 3.96B and revenue of 15.84B, resulting in an operating margin of 25.0%.
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%.
CSCO - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported a net income of 3.37B and revenue of 15.84B, resulting in a net margin of 21.3%.
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
CSCO and MRK have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CSCO has higher volatility (17.31%) compared to MRK (9.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSCO dropped -89.26% vs MRK's -68.61%.
CSCO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 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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