GILD vs. MRK
GILD (Gilead Sciences, Inc.) and MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, GILD returned 7.86%/yr vs 11.18%/yr for MRK. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
GILD vs. MRK - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GILD achieves a 5.69% return, which is significantly lower than MRK's 9.78% return. Over the past 10 years, GILD has underperformed MRK with an annualized return of 7.86%, while MRK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.18% annualized return.
GILD
- 1D
- 1.11%
- 1M
- -2.79%
- YTD
- 5.69%
- 6M
- 4.46%
- 1Y
- 21.12%
- 3Y*
- 22.39%
- 5Y*
- 18.17%
- 10Y*
- 7.86%
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%
GILD vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc. | 5.69% | 36.59% | 18.68% | -1.99% | 23.63% | 29.95% | -6.70% | 7.88% | -9.92% | 2.96% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 9.78% | 9.79% | -6.26% | 1.01% | 49.42% | 1.75% | -7.20% | 22.27% | 39.95% | -1.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between GILD and MRK is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 1992 | 0.27 |
The correlation between GILD and MRK shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.38 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
GILD:
$161.75B
MRK:
$283.54B
GILD:
$7.35
MRK:
$3.58
GILD:
17.55
MRK:
32.00
GILD:
0.04
MRK:
0.03
GILD:
5.44
MRK:
4.36
GILD:
6.88
MRK:
6.18
GILD:
$29.74B
MRK:
$65.59B
GILD:
$18.74B
MRK:
$49.79B
GILD:
$12.88B
MRK:
$22.69B
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
GILD vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank
GILD
MRK
GILD vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) 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.
| GILD | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.81 | 2.02 | -1.21 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.35 | 2.94 | -1.59 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.35 | -0.20 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.20 | 4.78 | -3.58 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.03 | 12.00 | -8.97 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GILD | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.81 | 2.02 | -1.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.76 | 0.54 | +0.22 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.31 | 0.49 | -0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.39 | 0.48 | -0.09 |
Drawdowns
GILD vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GILD drawdown since its inception was -70.83%, roughly equal to the maximum MRK drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GILD and MRK.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| GILD | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.83% | -68.61% | -2.22% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.65% | -11.37% | -6.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.59% | -43.44% | +16.85% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.59% | -43.44% | +16.85% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.47% | -43.44% | +12.97% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -16.74% | -8.50% | -8.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -22.16% | -18.84% | -3.32% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.98% | 4.52% | +2.46% |
Volatility
GILD vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) is 7.30%, while Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a volatility of 8.21%. This indicates that GILD 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| GILD | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.30% | 8.21% | -0.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.55% | 17.62% | +0.93% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.32% | 26.92% | -0.60% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.04% | 23.62% | +0.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.49% | 22.91% | +2.58% |
Dividends
GILD vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison
GILD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, less than MRK's 2.89% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc. | 2.47% | 2.57% | 3.33% | 3.70% | 3.40% | 3.91% | 4.67% | 3.88% | 3.65% | 2.90% | 2.57% | 1.27% |
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
GILD vs. MRK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Gilead Sciences, 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
GILD vs. MRK - Profitability Comparison
GILD - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Gilead Sciences, Inc. reported a gross profit of 79.20M and revenue of 6.96B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 1.1%.
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%.
GILD - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Gilead Sciences, Inc. reported an operating income of 2.59B and revenue of 6.96B, resulting in an operating margin of 37.2%.
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%.
GILD - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Gilead Sciences, Inc. reported a net income of 2.02B and revenue of 6.96B, resulting in a net margin of 29.0%.
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
GILD and MRK have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MRK has higher volatility (8.21%) compared to GILD (7.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GILD dropped -70.83% vs MRK's -68.61%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 0.81), 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.
Find the right allocation for GILD and MRK
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer