KMB vs. MRK
KMB (Kimberly-Clark Corporation) and MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) are both stocks. KMB operates in Household & Personal Products (Consumer Defensive), while MRK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare). Over the past 10 years, KMB returned 0.95%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for MRK. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
KMB vs. MRK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, KMB achieves a 4.05% return, which is significantly lower than MRK's 13.94% return. Over the past 10 years, KMB has underperformed MRK with an annualized return of 0.95%, while MRK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.59% annualized return.
KMB
- 1D
- 0.74%
- 1M
- 6.86%
- YTD
- 4.05%
- 6M
- 1.77%
- 1Y
- -19.86%
- 3Y*
- -4.95%
- 5Y*
- -0.92%
- 10Y*
- 0.95%
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%
KMB vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 4.05% | -19.86% | 11.79% | -7.08% | -1.58% | 9.66% | 0.95% | 24.57% | -2.06% | 9.04% |
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 KMB and MRK is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 1984 | 0.32 |
Fundamentals
KMB:
$34.08B
MRK:
$294.29B
KMB:
$5.93
MRK:
$3.58
KMB:
17.26
MRK:
33.21
KMB:
2.98
MRK:
0.03
KMB:
2.06
MRK:
4.52
KMB:
18.98
MRK:
6.41
KMB:
$16.54B
MRK:
$65.59B
KMB:
$5.93B
MRK:
$49.79B
KMB:
$3.07B
MRK:
$22.69B
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Return for Risk
KMB vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank
KMB
MRK
KMB vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) 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.
| KMB | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.66 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.70 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.87 | 1.33 | -0.47 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.67 | 4.49 | -5.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.03 | 11.22 | -12.24 |
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Drawdowns
KMB vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum KMB drawdown since its inception was -36.97%, smaller than the maximum MRK drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KMB and MRK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| KMB | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.97% | -68.61% | +31.64% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -29.60% | -11.37% | -18.23% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.06% | -43.44% | +9.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.06% | -43.44% | +9.38% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.06% | -43.44% | +9.38% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.52% | -5.03% | -21.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.85% | -18.83% | +9.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.43% | 4.54% | +14.89% |
Volatility
KMB vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) is 8.42%, while Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a volatility of 9.57%. This indicates that KMB 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.
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Volatility by Period
| KMB | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.42% | 9.57% | -1.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.67% | 18.04% | -1.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.77% | 27.18% | -1.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.19% | 23.66% | -3.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.07% | 22.96% | -1.89% |
Dividends
KMB vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison
KMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, more than MRK's 2.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 4.97% | 5.00% | 3.72% | 3.88% | 3.42% | 3.19% | 3.17% | 3.00% | 3.51% | 3.22% | 3.22% | 2.77% |
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
KMB vs. MRK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Kimberly-Clark 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
KMB vs. MRK - Profitability Comparison
KMB - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported a gross profit of 1.53B and revenue of 4.16B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 36.9%.
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%.
KMB - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported an operating income of 753.00M and revenue of 4.16B, resulting in an operating margin of 18.1%.
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%.
KMB - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported a net income of 521.00M and revenue of 4.16B, resulting in a net margin of 12.5%.
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
KMB and MRK have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MRK has higher volatility (9.57%) compared to KMB (8.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KMB dropped -36.97% vs MRK's -68.61%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs -0.77), 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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