MRK vs. BMY
MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) and BMY (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company) are both stocks. Both operate in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, MRK returned 12.26%/yr vs 2.16%/yr for BMY. Their 0.51 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
MRK vs. BMY - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with MRK having a 25.51% return and BMY slightly lower at 25.17%. Over the past 10 years, MRK has outperformed BMY with an annualized return of 12.26%, while BMY has yielded a comparatively lower 2.16% annualized return.
MRK
- 1D
- 0.32%
- 1M
- 0.49%
- 6M
- 19.80%
- YTD
- 25.51%
- 1Y
- 69.70%
- 3Y*
- 10.70%
- 5Y*
- 14.64%
- 10Y*
- 12.26%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.54%
BMY
- 1D
- 0.69%
- 1M
- 12.35%
- 6M
- 21.21%
- YTD
- 25.17%
- 1Y
- 54.75%
- 3Y*
- 6.92%
- 5Y*
- 3.38%
- 10Y*
- 2.16%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.43%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $711.50M | $665.03M | $681.59M | |
| $997.19M | $1.08B | $1.21B |
MRK vs. BMY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 25.51% | 9.79% | -6.26% | 1.01% | 49.42% | 1.75% | -7.20% | 22.27% | 39.95% | -1.49% |
BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 25.17% | 0.11% | 15.81% | -26.14% | 18.98% | 2.88% | 0.41% | 27.74% | -12.90% | 7.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between MRK and BMY is 0.53, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.53 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.47 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 1978 | 0.51 |
The correlation between MRK and BMY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.
Fundamentals
MRK:
$321.62B
BMY:
$133.37B
MRK:
$3.59
BMY:
$4.54
MRK:
36.23
BMY:
14.37
MRK:
0.03
BMY:
0.82
MRK:
4.93
BMY:
2.71
MRK:
7.02
BMY:
5.99
MRK:
$65.59B
BMY:
$49.19B
MRK:
$49.79B
BMY:
$34.51B
MRK:
$22.69B
BMY:
$16.67B
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
MRK vs. BMY — Risk / Return Rank
MRK
BMY
MRK vs. BMY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY). 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.
| MRK | BMY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.50 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.65 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.36 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.39 | 4.66 | +1.73 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.11 | 11.09 | +5.02 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
MRK vs. BMY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MRK drawdown since its inception was -68.61%, roughly equal to the maximum BMY drawdown of -72.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MRK and BMY.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| MRK | BMY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -68.61% | -72.03% | +3.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.37% | -12.53% | +1.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.44% | -34.11% | -9.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.44% | -47.67% | +4.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.44% | -47.67% | +4.23% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.23% | -4.95% | +3.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.79% | -22.36% | +3.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.50% | 5.25% | -0.75% |
Volatility
MRK vs. BMY - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is 8.23%, while Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) has a volatility of 9.10%. This indicates that MRK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BMY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| MRK | BMY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.23% | 9.10% | -0.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.68% | 19.64% | +0.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.87% | 27.86% | +0.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.10% | 24.49% | -0.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.13% | 25.46% | -2.33% |
Dividends
MRK vs. BMY - Dividend Comparison
MRK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than BMY's 3.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 3.84% | 4.60% | 4.24% | 4.44% | 3.00% | 2.36% | 3.69% | 2.55% | 3.08% | 2.55% | 1.95% | 2.17% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 2.58% | 3.12% | 3.14% | 2.72% | 2.52% | 3.41% | 3.03% | 2.48% | 2.60% | 3.36% | 3.14% | 3.43% |
Financials
MRK vs. BMY - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Merck & Co., Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. 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
MRK vs. BMY - Profitability Comparison
MRK - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 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%.
BMY - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company reported a gross profit of 9.25B and revenue of 12.97B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 71.3%.
MRK - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. reported an operating income of -1.88B and revenue of 16.29B, resulting in an operating margin of -11.6%.
BMY - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company reported an operating income of 4.09B and revenue of 12.97B, resulting in an operating margin of 31.5%.
MRK - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. reported a net income of -4.24B and revenue of 16.29B, resulting in a net margin of -26.0%.
BMY - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company reported a net income of 3.32B and revenue of 12.97B, resulting in a net margin of 25.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MRK and BMY have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BMY has higher volatility (9.10%) compared to MRK (8.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MRK dropped -68.61% vs BMY's -72.03%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.14), 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 MRK and BMY
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