MCK vs. NOW

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MCK (McKesson Corporation) and NOW (ServiceNow, Inc) are both stocks. MCK operates in Medical Distribution (Healthcare), while NOW operates in Software - Application (Technology). Over the past 10 years, MCK returned 16.64%/yr vs 21.48%/yr for NOW. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MCK vs. NOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in McKesson Corporation (MCK) and ServiceNow, Inc (NOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MCK achieves a -4.23% return, which is significantly higher than NOW's -33.32% return. Over the past 10 years, MCK has underperformed NOW with an annualized return of 16.64%, while NOW has yielded a comparatively higher 21.48% annualized return.

MCK

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: -4.23%
• 6M: -3.47%
• 1Y: 8.11%
• 3Y*: 26.04%
• 5Y*: 32.74%
• 10Y*: 16.64%

NOW

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 7.45%
• YTD: -33.32%
• 6M: -40.96%
• 1Y: -48.34%
• 3Y*: -2.72%
• 5Y*: 0.51%
• 10Y*: 21.48%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MCK vs. NOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MCK McKesson Corporation	-4.23%	44.54%	23.67%	24.13%	51.82%	44.23%	27.06%	26.72%	-28.40%	11.95%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc	-33.32%	-27.75%	50.05%	81.96%	-40.18%	17.93%	94.97%	58.56%	36.55%	75.40%

Correlation

The correlation between MCK and NOW is -0.03, 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	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2012	0.19

The correlation between MCK and NOW shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.19 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap MCK : $96.20B NOW : $106.24B
EPS MCK : $38.38 NOW : $1.68
PE Ratio MCK : 20.43 NOW : 60.81
PEG Ratio MCK : 0.27 NOW : 0.51
PS Ratio MCK : 0.24 NOW : 7.65
PB Ratio MCK : 13.91 NOW : 7.83
Total Revenue (TTM) MCK : $403.43B NOW : $13.96B
Gross Profit (TTM) MCK : $14.55B NOW : $10.69B
EBITDA (TTM) MCK : $6.91B NOW : $2.80B

Return for Risk

MCK vs. NOW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MCK

MCK Risk / Return Rank: 50
MCK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
MCK Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
MCK Omega Ratio Rank: 47
MCK Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
MCK Martin Ratio Rank: 51

NOW

NOW Risk / Return Rank: 8
NOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
NOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
NOW Omega Ratio Rank: 7
NOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
NOW Martin Ratio Rank: 8

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MCK vs. NOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for McKesson Corporation (MCK) and ServiceNow, Inc (NOW). 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.

	MCK	NOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.27	-0.99	+1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.63	-1.44	+2.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	0.82	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.29	-0.82	+1.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.74	-1.45	+2.19

MCK vs. NOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCK Sharpe Ratio is 0.27, which is higher than the NOW Sharpe Ratio of -0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCK and NOW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MCK vs. NOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCK drawdown since its inception was -82.84%, which is greater than NOW's maximum drawdown of -64.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCK and NOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCK	NOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.84%	-64.54%	-18.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.17%	-60.28%	+33.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.17%	-64.54%	+37.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.17%	-64.54%	+37.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.23%	-64.54%	+20.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.17%	-56.36%	+35.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.64%	-13.78%	-14.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.40%	34.02%	-23.62%

Volatility

MCK vs. NOW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for McKesson Corporation (MCK) is 6.47%, while ServiceNow, Inc (NOW) has a volatility of 25.56%. This indicates that MCK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MCK	NOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.47%	25.56%	-19.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.74%	47.01%	-24.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.14%	50.12%	-20.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.19%	43.44%	-19.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.82%	40.86%	-12.04%

Dividends

MCK vs. NOW - Dividend Comparison

MCK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, while NOW has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MCK McKesson Corporation	0.42%	0.37%	0.47%	0.50%	0.54%	0.72%	0.95%	1.16%	1.32%	0.80%	0.80%	0.53%
NOW ServiceNow, Inc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

MCK vs. NOW - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between McKesson Corporation and ServiceNow, Inc over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

MCK - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, McKesson Corporation reported a gross profit of 4.04B and revenue of 96.30B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 4.2%.

NOW - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, ServiceNow, Inc reported a gross profit of 2.83B and revenue of 3.77B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 75.1%.

MCK - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, McKesson Corporation reported an operating income of 2.09B and revenue of 96.30B, resulting in an operating margin of 2.2%.

NOW - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, ServiceNow, Inc reported an operating income of 503.00M and revenue of 3.77B, resulting in an operating margin of 13.3%.

MCK - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, McKesson Corporation reported a net income of 1.68B and revenue of 96.30B, resulting in a net margin of 1.8%.

NOW - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, ServiceNow, Inc reported a net income of 469.00M and revenue of 3.77B, resulting in a net margin of 12.4%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCK and NOW in my portfolio?

MCK and NOW have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MCK or NOW?

NOW has higher volatility (25.56%) compared to MCK (6.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCK dropped -82.84% vs NOW's -64.54%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MCK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.27 vs -0.99), 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.