MRK vs. LAES

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) and LAES (SEALSQ Corp) are both stocks. MRK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare), while LAES operates in Semiconductors (Technology). Over the past 3 years, MRK returned 5.78%/yr vs -31.28%/yr for LAES. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

MRK vs. LAES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and SEALSQ Corp (LAES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MRK achieves a 14.39% return, which is significantly higher than LAES's -14.81% return.

MRK

• 1D: -1.05%
• 1M: 7.31%
• YTD: 14.39%
• 6M: 22.75%
• 1Y: 56.85%
• 3Y*: 5.78%
• 5Y*: 13.57%
• 10Y*: 11.61%

LAES

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 10.27%
• YTD: -14.81%
• 6M: -34.42%
• 1Y: -6.94%
• 3Y*: -31.28%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MRK vs. LAES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.	14.39%	9.79%	-6.26%	-1.74%
LAES SEALSQ Corp	-14.81%	-38.54%	380.47%	-92.82%

Correlation

The correlation between MRK and LAES is -0.01, 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	-0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2023	-0.01

Fundamentals

EPS MRK : $3.58 LAES : -$0.43
PS Ratio MRK : 4.54 LAES : 10.60
Total Revenue (TTM) MRK : $65.59B LAES : $35.37M
Gross Profit (TTM) MRK : $49.79B LAES : $13.21M
EBITDA (TTM) MRK : $22.69B LAES : -$41.81M

Return for Risk

MRK vs. LAES — Risk / Return Rank

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

MRK

MRK Risk / Return Rank: 90
MRK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
MRK Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
MRK Omega Ratio Rank: 86
MRK Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
MRK Martin Ratio Rank: 91

LAES

LAES Risk / Return Rank: 43
LAES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
LAES Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
LAES Omega Ratio Rank: 47
LAES Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
LAES Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

MRK vs. LAES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and SEALSQ Corp (LAES). 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.

	MRK	LAES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	-0.06	+2.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	0.78	+2.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.08	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.03	-0.10	+5.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.59	-0.16	+12.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MRK vs. LAES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MRK Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the LAES Sharpe Ratio of -0.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MRK and LAES, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MRK	LAES	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	-0.06	+2.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	-0.28	+0.76

Drawdowns

MRK vs. LAES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MRK drawdown since its inception was -68.61%, smaller than the maximum LAES drawdown of -98.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MRK and LAES.

Drawdown Indicators

	MRK	LAES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.61%	-98.44%	+29.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.37%	-72.68%	+61.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-43.44%	-98.07%	+54.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.44%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.65%	-85.34%	+80.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.84%	-84.70%	+65.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.53%	42.96%	-38.43%

Volatility

MRK vs. LAES - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is 9.44%, while SEALSQ Corp (LAES) has a volatility of 28.36%. This indicates that MRK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LAES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MRK	LAES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.44%	28.36%	-18.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.14%	66.00%	-47.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.30%	110.53%	-83.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.71%	170.27%	-146.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.96%	170.27%	-147.31%

Dividends

MRK vs. LAES - Dividend Comparison

MRK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.78%, while LAES has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LAES SEALSQ Corp	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MRK Merck & Co., Inc.	2.78%	3.12%	3.14%	2.72%	2.52%	3.41%	3.03%	2.48%	2.60%	3.36%	3.14%	3.43%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MRK and LAES in my portfolio?

MRK and LAES have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MRK or LAES?

LAES has higher volatility (28.36%) compared to MRK (9.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MRK dropped -68.61% vs LAES's -98.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs -0.06), 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.