MRK vs. PG
MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) and PG (The Procter & Gamble Company) are both stocks. MRK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare), while PG operates in Household & Personal Products (Consumer Defensive). Over the past 10 years, MRK returned 11.59%/yr vs 8.96%/yr for PG. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MRK vs. PG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MRK achieves a 13.94% return, which is significantly higher than PG's 5.93% return. Over the past 10 years, MRK has outperformed PG with an annualized return of 11.59%, while PG has yielded a comparatively lower 8.96% 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%
PG
- 1D
- 0.86%
- 1M
- 5.18%
- YTD
- 5.93%
- 6M
- 6.28%
- 1Y
- -5.68%
- 3Y*
- 3.69%
- 5Y*
- 4.73%
- 10Y*
- 8.96%
MRK vs. PG - 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% |
PG The Procter & Gamble Company | 5.93% | -12.26% | 17.25% | -0.86% | -5.05% | 20.52% | 14.15% | 39.70% | 3.57% | 12.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between MRK and PG is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 1978 | 0.39 |
Fundamentals
MRK:
$294.29B
PG:
$361.53B
MRK:
$3.58
PG:
$5.23
MRK:
33.21
PG:
28.63
MRK:
0.03
PG:
7.00
MRK:
4.52
PG:
4.20
MRK:
6.41
PG:
6.70
MRK:
$65.59B
PG:
$86.72B
MRK:
$49.79B
PG:
$43.64B
MRK:
$22.69B
PG:
$22.63B
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Return for Risk
MRK vs. PG — Risk / Return Rank
MRK
PG
MRK vs. PG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) and The Procter & Gamble Company (PG). 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 | PG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.11 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 0.97 | +0.37 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.49 | -0.37 | +4.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.22 | -0.68 | +11.90 |
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Drawdowns
MRK vs. PG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MRK drawdown since its inception was -68.61%, which is greater than PG's maximum drawdown of -54.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MRK and PG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MRK | PG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -68.61% | -54.25% | -14.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.37% | -15.52% | +4.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -43.44% | -21.15% | -22.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.44% | -23.77% | -19.67% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.44% | -23.77% | -19.67% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.03% | -13.29% | +8.26% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.83% | -12.16% | -6.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.54% | 8.80% | -4.26% |
Volatility
MRK vs. PG - Volatility Comparison
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a higher volatility of 9.57% compared to The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) at 6.99%. This indicates that MRK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MRK | PG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.57% | 6.99% | +2.58% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.04% | 15.01% | +3.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.18% | 18.78% | +8.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.66% | 17.82% | +5.84% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.96% | 19.05% | +3.91% |
Dividends
MRK vs. PG - Dividend Comparison
MRK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, less than PG's 2.85% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
PG The Procter & Gamble Company | 2.85% | 2.91% | 2.36% | 2.55% | 2.38% | 2.08% | 2.24% | 2.37% | 3.09% | 2.98% | 3.18% | 3.31% |
Financials
MRK vs. PG - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Merck & Co., Inc. and The Procter & Gamble 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. PG - 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%.
PG - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Procter & Gamble Company reported a gross profit of 10.51B and revenue of 21.24B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 49.5%.
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%.
PG - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Procter & Gamble Company reported an operating income of 4.58B and revenue of 21.24B, resulting in an operating margin of 21.6%.
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%.
PG - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Procter & Gamble Company reported a net income of 18.50M and revenue of 21.24B, resulting in a net margin of 0.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MRK and PG have a correlation of 0.35, 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 PG (6.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MRK dropped -68.61% vs PG's -54.25%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs -0.30), 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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