ZTS vs. MRK
ZTS (Zoetis Inc.) and MRK (Merck & Co., Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — ZTS in Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic, MRK in Drug Manufacturers - General. Over the past 10 years, ZTS returned 6.24%/yr vs 11.59%/yr for MRK. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
ZTS vs. MRK - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ZTS achieves a -36.21% return, which is significantly lower than MRK's 13.94% return. Over the past 10 years, ZTS has underperformed MRK with an annualized return of 6.24%, while MRK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.59% annualized return.
ZTS
- 1D
- -2.25%
- 1M
- 7.21%
- YTD
- -36.21%
- 6M
- -32.36%
- 1Y
- -50.83%
- 3Y*
- -20.79%
- 5Y*
- -14.41%
- 10Y*
- 6.24%
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%
ZTS vs. MRK - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZTS Zoetis Inc. | -36.21% | -21.75% | -16.63% | 35.91% | -39.51% | 48.26% | 25.76% | 55.71% | 19.45% | 35.55% |
MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | 13.94% | 9.79% | -6.26% | 1.01% | 49.42% | 1.75% | -7.20% | 22.27% | 39.95% | -1.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between ZTS and MRK is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2013 | 0.41 |
Fundamentals
ZTS:
$33.61B
MRK:
$294.29B
ZTS:
$6.04
MRK:
$3.58
ZTS:
13.17
MRK:
33.21
ZTS:
1.48
MRK:
0.03
ZTS:
3.66
MRK:
4.52
ZTS:
10.40
MRK:
6.41
ZTS:
$9.51B
MRK:
$65.59B
ZTS:
$6.73B
MRK:
$49.79B
ZTS:
$3.95B
MRK:
$22.69B
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Return for Risk
ZTS vs. MRK — Risk / Return Rank
ZTS
MRK
ZTS vs. MRK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Zoetis Inc. (ZTS) 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.
| ZTS | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.35 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.90 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.66 | 1.33 | -0.67 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.97 | 4.49 | -5.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -2.09 | 11.22 | -13.31 |
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Drawdowns
ZTS vs. MRK - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ZTS drawdown since its inception was -68.48%, roughly equal to the maximum MRK drawdown of -68.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZTS and MRK.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ZTS | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -68.48% | -68.61% | +0.13% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -54.15% | -11.37% | -42.78% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -61.77% | -43.44% | -18.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -68.48% | -43.44% | -25.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -68.48% | -43.44% | -25.04% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -66.20% | -5.03% | -61.17% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.85% | -18.83% | +3.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 26.53% | 4.54% | +21.99% |
Volatility
ZTS vs. MRK - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Zoetis Inc. (ZTS) is 8.65%, while Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a volatility of 9.57%. This indicates that ZTS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky 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
| ZTS | MRK | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.65% | 9.57% | -0.92% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 31.45% | 18.04% | +13.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 35.73% | 27.18% | +8.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.77% | 23.66% | +5.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.10% | 22.96% | +4.14% |
Dividends
ZTS vs. MRK - Dividend Comparison
ZTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, less than MRK's 2.79% 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% |
ZTS Zoetis Inc. | 2.59% | 1.59% | 1.06% | 0.76% | 0.89% | 0.41% | 0.48% | 0.50% | 0.59% | 0.58% | 0.71% | 0.69% |
Financials
ZTS vs. MRK - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Zoetis 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
ZTS vs. MRK - Profitability Comparison
ZTS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Zoetis Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.62B and revenue of 2.26B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 71.7%.
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%.
ZTS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Zoetis Inc. reported an operating income of 853.00M and revenue of 2.26B, resulting in an operating margin of 37.7%.
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%.
ZTS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Zoetis Inc. reported a net income of 601.00M and revenue of 2.26B, resulting in a net margin of 26.6%.
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
ZTS and MRK have a correlation of 0.40, 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 ZTS (8.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZTS dropped -68.48% vs MRK's -68.61%.
MRK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs -1.46), 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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