MRK vs. IYW
MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) is a stock, while IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. Over the past 10 years, MRK returned 11.04%/yr vs 24.40%/yr for IYW. Their 0.27 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
MRK vs. IYW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with MRK having a 23.16% return and IYW slightly lower at 22.12%. Over the past 10 years, MRK has underperformed IYW with an annualized return of 11.04%, while IYW has yielded a comparatively higher 24.40% annualized return.
MRK
- 1D
- -1.87%
- 1M
- -1.38%
- 6M
- 14.35%
- YTD
- 23.16%
- 1Y
- 66.53%
- 3Y*
- 10.10%
- 5Y*
- 14.62%
- 10Y*
- 11.04%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.49%
IYW
- 1D
- 2.37%
- 1M
- 0.08%
- 6M
- 22.15%
- YTD
- 22.12%
- 1Y
- 37.66%
- 3Y*
- 31.14%
- 5Y*
- 18.81%
- 10Y*
- 24.40%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.25%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120.59M | $130.00M | $189.60M | |
| $1.05B | $1.11B | $1.23B |
MRK vs. IYW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 23.16% | 9.79% | -6.26% | 1.01% | 49.42% | 1.75% | -7.20% | 22.27% | 39.95% | -1.49% |
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 22.12% | 25.38% | 30.25% | 65.44% | -34.83% | 35.44% | 47.45% | 46.64% | -0.93% | 36.60% |
Correlation
The correlation between MRK and IYW is -0.20, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.20 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.02 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.12 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2000 | 0.27 |
The correlation between MRK and IYW shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to 0.27 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MRK vs. IYW — Risk / Return Rank
MRK
IYW
MRK vs. IYW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW). 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 | IYW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.84 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.33 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.27 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.88 | 2.12 | +3.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.82 | 6.25 | +8.57 |
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Drawdowns
MRK vs. IYW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MRK drawdown since its inception was -68.61%, smaller than the maximum IYW drawdown of -81.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MRK and IYW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MRK | IYW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -68.61% | -81.90% | +13.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.37% | -17.81% | +6.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.44% | -26.47% | -16.97% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.44% | -39.44% | -4.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.44% | -39.44% | -4.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.07% | -6.23% | +3.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.79% | -34.47% | +15.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.50% | 6.04% | -1.54% |
Volatility
MRK vs. IYW - Volatility Comparison
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) have volatilities of 7.79% and 7.98%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MRK | IYW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.79% | 7.98% | -0.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.72% | 19.93% | -0.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.58% | 23.82% | +3.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.12% | 26.50% | -2.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.14% | 25.37% | -2.23% |
Dividends
MRK vs. IYW - Dividend Comparison
MRK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, more than IYW's 0.11% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 0.11% | 0.14% | 0.21% | 0.34% | 0.50% | 0.31% | 0.56% | 0.72% | 0.92% | 0.82% | 1.14% | 1.12% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 2.63% | 3.12% | 3.14% | 2.72% | 2.52% | 3.41% | 3.03% | 2.48% | 2.60% | 3.36% | 3.14% | 3.43% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MRK and IYW have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IYW has higher volatility (7.98%) compared to MRK (7.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MRK dropped -68.61% vs IYW's -81.90%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.59), 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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