DHR vs. MRK
DHR (Danaher Corporation) and MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — DHR in Diagnostics & Research, MRK in Drug Manufacturers - General. Over the past 10 years, DHR returned 11.19%/yr vs 11.61%/yr for MRK. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
DHR vs. MRK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DHR achieves a -19.66% return, which is significantly lower than MRK's 14.39% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DHR having a 11.19% annualized return and MRK not far ahead at 11.61%.
DHR
- 1D
- -0.42%
- 1M
- 7.23%
- YTD
- -19.66%
- 6M
- -17.95%
- 1Y
- -5.73%
- 3Y*
- -3.67%
- 5Y*
- -2.52%
- 10Y*
- 11.19%
MRK
- 1D
- -1.05%
- 1M
- 7.31%
- YTD
- 14.39%
- 6M
- 22.75%
- 1Y
- 56.85%
- 3Y*
- 5.78%
- 5Y*
- 13.57%
- 10Y*
- 11.61%
DHR vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DHR Danaher Corporation | -19.66% | 0.35% | -0.35% | -1.22% | -19.02% | 48.57% | 45.34% | 49.55% | 11.80% | 20.01% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 14.39% | 9.79% | -6.26% | 1.01% | 49.42% | 1.75% | -7.20% | 22.27% | 39.95% | -1.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between DHR and MRK is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 1987 | 0.30 |
The correlation between DHR and MRK shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (5 years) to 0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
DHR:
$130.53B
MRK:
$295.45B
DHR:
$5.17
MRK:
$3.58
DHR:
35.51
MRK:
33.34
DHR:
5.29
MRK:
4.54
DHR:
2.47
MRK:
6.44
DHR:
$24.78B
MRK:
$65.59B
DHR:
$15.04B
MRK:
$49.79B
DHR:
$6.69B
MRK:
$22.69B
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Return for Risk
DHR vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank
DHR
MRK
DHR vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Danaher Corporation (DHR) 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.
| DHR | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.99 | 1.36 | -0.38 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.17 | 5.03 | -5.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.42 | 12.59 | -13.02 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DHR | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.21 | 2.10 | -2.30 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.09 | 0.58 | -0.67 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 | 0.51 | -0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.65 | 0.48 | +0.16 |
Drawdowns
DHR vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DHR drawdown since its inception was -45.80%, smaller than the maximum MRK drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DHR and MRK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DHR | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.80% | -68.61% | +22.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -32.97% | -11.37% | -21.60% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.72% | -43.44% | +1.72% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.81% | -43.44% | -0.37% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.81% | -43.44% | -0.37% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -36.31% | -4.65% | -31.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.21% | -18.84% | +8.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.51% | 4.53% | +8.98% |
Volatility
DHR vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison
Danaher Corporation (DHR) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) have volatilities of 9.24% and 9.44%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DHR | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.24% | 9.44% | -0.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.43% | 18.14% | +1.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.08% | 27.30% | +0.78% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.00% | 23.71% | +4.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.53% | 22.96% | +2.57% |
Dividends
DHR vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison
DHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, less than MRK's 2.78% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DHR Danaher Corporation | 0.74% | 0.56% | 0.47% | 12.64% | 0.38% | 0.26% | 0.32% | 0.44% | 0.62% | 0.60% | 32.55% | 0.58% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 2.78% | 3.12% | 3.14% | 2.72% | 2.52% | 3.41% | 3.03% | 2.48% | 2.60% | 3.36% | 3.14% | 3.43% |
Financials
DHR vs. MRK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Danaher Corporation 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
DHR vs. MRK - Profitability Comparison
DHR - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Danaher Corporation reported a gross profit of 3.59B and revenue of 5.95B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 60.3%.
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%.
DHR - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Danaher Corporation reported an operating income of 1.34B and revenue of 5.95B, resulting in an operating margin of 22.6%.
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%.
DHR - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Danaher Corporation reported a net income of 1.03B and revenue of 5.95B, resulting in a net margin of 17.3%.
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
DHR and MRK have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MRK has higher volatility (9.44%) compared to DHR (9.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DHR dropped -45.80% vs MRK's -68.61%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs -0.21), 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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