MRK vs. NVO
MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) and NVO (Novo Nordisk A/S) 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 7.55%/yr for NVO. Their 0.24 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
MRK vs. NVO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MRK achieves a 25.51% return, which is significantly higher than NVO's -4.23% return. Over the past 10 years, MRK has outperformed NVO with an annualized return of 12.26%, while NVO has yielded a comparatively lower 7.55% 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%
NVO
- 1D
- -8.78%
- 1M
- -6.64%
- 6M
- -18.01%
- YTD
- -4.23%
- 1Y
- 2.25%
- 3Y*
- -14.32%
- 5Y*
- 2.48%
- 10Y*
- 7.55%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.37%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $997.19M | $1.08B | $1.21B | |
| $504.41M | $480.49M | $577.88M |
MRK vs. NVO - 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% |
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S | -4.23% | -39.22% | -15.93% | 54.84% | 22.66% | 63.52% | 23.33% | 28.70% | -12.98% | 52.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between MRK and NVO is 0.15, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.15 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.27 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.30 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1982 | 0.24 |
The correlation between MRK and NVO shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (1 year) to 0.30 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MRK:
$321.62B
NVO:
$209.19B
MRK:
$3.59
NVO:
DKK 27.42
MRK:
36.23
NVO:
11.15
MRK:
0.03
NVO:
0.48
MRK:
4.93
NVO:
4.15
MRK:
7.02
NVO:
6.70
MRK:
$65.59B
NVO:
DKK 327.80B
MRK:
$49.79B
NVO:
DKK 268.30B
MRK:
$22.69B
NVO:
DKK 181.54B
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Return for Risk
MRK vs. NVO — Risk / Return Rank
MRK
NVO
MRK vs. NVO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO). 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 | NVO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.06 | +0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.39 | 0.11 | +6.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.11 | 0.20 | +15.91 |
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Drawdowns
MRK vs. NVO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MRK drawdown since its inception was -68.61%, smaller than the maximum NVO drawdown of -74.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MRK and NVO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MRK | NVO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -68.61% | -74.70% | +6.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.37% | -43.67% | +32.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.44% | -74.70% | +31.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.44% | -74.70% | +31.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.44% | -74.70% | +31.26% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.23% | -65.79% | +64.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.79% | -17.93% | -0.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.50% | 23.97% | -19.47% |
Volatility
MRK vs. NVO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is 8.23%, while Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) has a volatility of 12.28%. This indicates that MRK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NVO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MRK | NVO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.23% | 12.28% | -4.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.68% | 36.87% | -17.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.87% | 46.77% | -18.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.10% | 38.76% | -14.66% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.13% | 32.76% | -9.63% |
Dividends
MRK vs. NVO - Dividend Comparison
MRK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than NVO's 3.83% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S | 3.83% | 3.31% | 1.68% | 1.00% | 1.20% | 1.35% | 1.87% | 2.14% | 1.45% | 1.52% | 2.87% | 0.92% |
Financials
MRK vs. NVO - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Merck & Co., Inc. and Novo Nordisk A/S. 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. NVO - 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%.
NVO - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Novo Nordisk A/S reported a gross profit of 83.23B and revenue of 96.82B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 86.0%.
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%.
NVO - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Novo Nordisk A/S reported an operating income of 59.62B and revenue of 96.82B, resulting in an operating margin of 61.6%.
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%.
NVO - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Novo Nordisk A/S reported a net income of 48.56B and revenue of 96.82B, resulting in a net margin of 50.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MRK and NVO have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NVO has higher volatility (12.28%) compared to MRK (8.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MRK dropped -68.61% vs NVO's -74.70%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 0.10), 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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