ZS vs. MRK
ZS (Zscaler, Inc.) and MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) are both stocks. ZS operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology), while MRK operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare). Over the past 5 years, ZS returned -9.02%/yr vs 12.81%/yr for MRK. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
ZS vs. MRK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ZS achieves a -42.42% return, which is significantly lower than MRK's 13.94% return.
ZS
- 1D
- 2.70%
- 1M
- -19.58%
- YTD
- -42.42%
- 6M
- -45.18%
- 1Y
- -57.11%
- 3Y*
- -6.33%
- 5Y*
- -9.02%
- 10Y*
- —
MRK
- 1D
- -1.42%
- 1M
- 6.89%
- YTD
- 13.94%
- 6M
- 20.60%
- 1Y
- 50.99%
- 3Y*
- 5.87%
- 5Y*
- 12.81%
- 10Y*
- 11.59%
ZS vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZS Zscaler, Inc. | -42.42% | 24.67% | -18.57% | 98.00% | -65.18% | 60.90% | 329.48% | 18.59% | 42.58% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 13.94% | 9.79% | -6.26% | 1.01% | 49.42% | 1.75% | -7.20% | 22.27% | 41.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between ZS and MRK is -0.16, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.03 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 2018 | 0.04 |
The correlation between ZS and MRK shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to 0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
ZS:
$20.82B
MRK:
$294.29B
ZS:
-$0.49
MRK:
$3.58
ZS:
6.48
MRK:
4.52
ZS:
8.80
MRK:
6.41
ZS:
$3.17B
MRK:
$65.59B
ZS:
$2.43B
MRK:
$49.79B
ZS:
$69.08M
MRK:
$22.69B
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Return for Risk
ZS vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank
ZS
MRK
ZS vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK). 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.
| ZS | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.85 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.79 | 1.33 | -0.54 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.88 | 4.49 | -5.37 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.55 | 11.22 | -12.76 |
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Drawdowns
ZS vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ZS drawdown since its inception was -76.41%, which is greater than MRK's maximum drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZS and MRK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ZS | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -76.41% | -68.61% | -7.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -64.89% | -11.37% | -53.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -64.89% | -43.44% | -21.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -76.41% | -43.44% | -32.97% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -43.44% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -64.88% | -5.03% | -59.85% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.68% | -18.83% | -13.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 36.90% | 4.54% | +32.36% |
Volatility
ZS vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison
Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) has a higher volatility of 44.34% compared to Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) at 9.57%. This indicates that ZS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MRK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ZS | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 44.34% | 9.57% | +34.77% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 57.43% | 18.04% | +39.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 58.73% | 27.18% | +31.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 56.07% | 23.66% | +32.41% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 58.78% | 22.96% | +35.82% |
Dividends
ZS vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison
ZS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while MRK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%.
| 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% |
ZS Zscaler, Inc. | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Financials
ZS vs. MRK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Zscaler, Inc. and Merck & Co., Inc.. 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
ZS vs. MRK - Profitability Comparison
ZS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Zscaler, Inc. reported a gross profit of 657.82M and revenue of 850.48M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 77.4%.
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%.
ZS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Zscaler, Inc. reported an operating income of -29.64M and revenue of 850.48M, resulting in an operating margin of -3.5%.
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%.
ZS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Zscaler, Inc. reported a net income of -13.88M and revenue of 850.48M, resulting in a net margin of -1.6%.
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%.
Frequently Asked Questions
ZS and MRK have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ZS has higher volatility (44.34%) compared to MRK (9.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZS dropped -76.41% vs MRK's -68.61%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs -0.97), 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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