IBM vs. MRK
IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) and MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) are both stocks. IBM operates in Information Technology Services (Technology), while MRK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare). Over the past 10 years, IBM returned 11.09%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for MRK. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
IBM vs. MRK - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBM achieves a -6.89% return, which is significantly lower than MRK's 13.94% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IBM having a 11.09% annualized return and MRK not far ahead at 11.59%.
IBM
- 1D
- -0.95%
- 1M
- 26.84%
- YTD
- -6.89%
- 6M
- -10.81%
- 1Y
- -0.65%
- 3Y*
- 29.65%
- 5Y*
- 18.01%
- 10Y*
- 11.09%
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%
IBM vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBM International Business Machines Corporation | -6.89% | 38.23% | 39.27% | 21.85% | 10.64% | 16.65% | -1.16% | 23.58% | -22.56% | -3.99% |
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 IBM and MRK is 0.01, 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 | 0.01 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 1978 | 0.30 |
Over the past year, the correlation between IBM and MRK has dropped to 0.01 - well below their long-term average of 0.30, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
IBM:
$259.20B
MRK:
$294.29B
IBM:
$11.32
MRK:
$3.58
IBM:
24.05
MRK:
33.21
IBM:
0.29
MRK:
0.03
IBM:
3.75
MRK:
4.52
IBM:
7.86
MRK:
6.41
IBM:
$68.91B
MRK:
$65.59B
IBM:
$40.64B
MRK:
$49.79B
IBM:
$15.71B
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
IBM vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank
IBM
MRK
IBM vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) 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.
| IBM | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.90 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.04 | 1.33 | -0.30 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.02 | 4.49 | -4.51 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.05 | 11.22 | -11.26 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
IBM vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBM drawdown since its inception was -69.40%, roughly equal to the maximum MRK drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBM and MRK.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| IBM | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.40% | -68.61% | -0.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -30.96% | -11.37% | -19.59% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -30.96% | -43.44% | +12.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.96% | -43.44% | +12.48% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.59% | -43.44% | +2.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.31% | -5.03% | -12.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -20.12% | -18.83% | -1.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 14.38% | 4.54% | +9.84% |
Volatility
IBM vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) has a higher volatility of 21.43% compared to Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) at 9.57%. This indicates that IBM'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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| IBM | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 21.43% | 9.57% | +11.86% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 34.62% | 18.04% | +16.58% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 39.45% | 27.18% | +12.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 27.16% | 23.66% | +3.50% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.59% | 22.96% | +3.63% |
Dividends
IBM vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison
IBM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, less than MRK's 2.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IBM International Business Machines Corporation | 2.47% | 2.27% | 3.03% | 4.05% | 4.68% | 4.74% | 5.17% | 4.80% | 5.46% | 3.85% | 3.31% | 3.63% |
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
IBM vs. MRK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between International Business Machines 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
IBM vs. MRK - Profitability Comparison
IBM - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, International Business Machines Corporation reported a gross profit of 8.95B and revenue of 15.92B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 56.2%.
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%.
IBM - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, International Business Machines Corporation reported an operating income of 1.22B and revenue of 15.92B, resulting in an operating margin of 7.6%.
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%.
IBM - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, International Business Machines Corporation reported a net income of 1.22B and revenue of 15.92B, resulting in a net margin of 7.6%.
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
IBM and MRK have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IBM has higher volatility (21.43%) compared to MRK (9.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBM dropped -69.40% vs MRK's -68.61%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs -0.02), 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 IBM 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