MRK vs. CL
MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) and CL (Colgate-Palmolive Company) are both stocks. MRK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare), while CL operates in Household & Personal Products (Consumer Defensive). Over the past 10 years, MRK returned 11.59%/yr vs 4.62%/yr for CL. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MRK vs. CL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MRK having a 13.94% return and CL slightly higher at 14.60%. Over the past 10 years, MRK has outperformed CL with an annualized return of 11.59%, while CL has yielded a comparatively lower 4.62% annualized return.
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%
CL
- 1D
- 0.07%
- 1M
- 1.80%
- YTD
- 14.60%
- 6M
- 15.59%
- 1Y
- -1.53%
- 3Y*
- 8.47%
- 5Y*
- 3.79%
- 10Y*
- 4.62%
MRK vs. CL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 13.94% | 9.79% | -6.26% | 1.01% | 49.42% | 1.75% | -7.20% | 22.27% | 39.95% | -1.49% |
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 14.60% | -10.98% | 16.57% | 3.78% | -5.44% | 2.08% | 27.17% | 18.60% | -19.19% | 17.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between MRK and CL is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 1978 | 0.34 |
Fundamentals
MRK:
$294.29B
CL:
$72.02B
MRK:
$3.58
CL:
$2.58
MRK:
33.21
CL:
34.68
MRK:
0.03
CL:
8.96
MRK:
4.52
CL:
3.48
MRK:
6.41
CL:
496.66
MRK:
$65.59B
CL:
$20.80B
MRK:
$49.79B
CL:
$12.49B
MRK:
$22.69B
CL:
$3.92B
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Return for Risk
MRK vs. CL — Risk / Return Rank
MRK
CL
MRK vs. CL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL). 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 | CL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.95 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.01 | +0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.49 | -0.08 | +4.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.22 | -0.14 | +11.35 |
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Drawdowns
MRK vs. CL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MRK drawdown since its inception was -68.61%, which is greater than CL's maximum drawdown of -58.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MRK and CL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MRK | CL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -68.61% | -58.91% | -9.70% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.37% | -18.64% | +7.27% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.44% | -29.05% | -14.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.44% | -29.05% | -14.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.44% | -29.05% | -14.39% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.03% | -14.31% | +9.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.83% | -11.24% | -7.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.54% | 11.35% | -6.81% |
Volatility
MRK vs. CL - Volatility Comparison
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a higher volatility of 9.57% compared to Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) at 8.32%. This indicates that MRK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MRK | CL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.57% | 8.32% | +1.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.04% | 17.28% | +0.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.18% | 21.83% | +5.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.66% | 18.81% | +4.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.96% | 19.75% | +3.21% |
Dividends
MRK vs. CL - Dividend Comparison
MRK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, more than CL's 2.34% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 2.34% | 2.61% | 2.18% | 2.40% | 2.36% | 2.10% | 2.05% | 2.48% | 2.79% | 2.11% | 2.37% | 2.25% |
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
MRK vs. CL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Merck & Co., Inc. and Colgate-Palmolive 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. CL - Profitability Comparison
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%.
CL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a gross profit of 3.23B and revenue of 5.32B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 60.6%.
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%.
CL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported an operating income of 1.16B and revenue of 5.32B, resulting in an operating margin of 21.7%.
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%.
CL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a net income of 646.00M and revenue of 5.32B, resulting in a net margin of 12.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MRK and CL have a correlation of 0.38, 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 CL (8.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MRK dropped -68.61% vs CL's -58.91%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs -0.07), 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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