AZN vs MRK
AstraZeneca PLC and Merck & Co., both Healthcare
Merck & Co. is the larger company at $281B against $271B. On trailing earnings AZN is the cheaper of the two at a P/E of 27.4 against 121.6, a gap that is only a bargain if the two are growing at similar rates. Over the past year MRK returned +99% against +13% for AZN. Ryufin's sector-relative Smart Score puts AZN ahead, 9/10 against 8/10.
| Figure | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $166 | $153 |
| Market cap | $271B | $281B |
| Trailing P/Elower is cheaper for the same earnings, not automatically better | 27.4 | 121.6 |
| Dividend yield | n/a | 2.1% |
| 1-year return | +13% | +99% |
| 5-year return | +61% | +133% |
| Ryufin Smart Scoresector-relative, 1–10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Figures from SEC filings and end-of-day closes. Highlighting marks the higher or lower number, which is not the same as the better investment, a low P/E can be a warning and a high one can be deserved.
AstraZeneca PLC
Revenue of $31B in H2 2025, net income $4.9B.
Merck & Co.
Revenue of $17B in Q2 2026, net income null. Its largest reported line is Keytruda, 49% of the disclosed total.
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