StockDecksJohnson & Johnson vs Merck & Co.
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) · Healthcare
As of 24 October 2026, Johnson & Johnson has a StockDecks Fundamental Score of −7 (grade C) and Merck & Co. −6 (grade C), on a −100 to +100 scale. Johnson & Johnson rates higher on Financial Health and Profitability; Merck & Co. rates higher on Growth and Valuation.
| Rating | JNJ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Score | -7Grade C | -6Grade C |
| Financial Health | +22 | +15 |
| Profitability | +52 | -13 |
| Growth | -64 | +1 |
| Valuation | -40 | -29 |
Both companies are measured against the same Healthcare benchmarks, so their scores compare directly. Scores describe each company as it stands; they are not forecasts or recommendations.
The measures side by side
Each figure is the latest reported value; the number beneath is how it scores on the −100 to +100 scale. A dash means no genuine figure is available. Tap a measure’s name for a plain-English explanation.
Financial Health
| Measure | JNJ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Debt to equity | 0.55×+41 | 1.28×-13 |
| Current ratio | 1.02×+1 | 1.32×+29 |
| Quick ratio | 0.65×-26 | 0.74×-10 |
| FCF / Total debt | 0.41×+68 | 0.28×+34 |
Profitability
| Measure | JNJ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 67.8%+80 | 75.9%+92 |
| Operating margin | 25.7%+74 | -0.2%-93 |
| Net margin | 16.2%+56 | 4.8%-67 |
| Return on equity | 20%+90 | 7%-27 |
| Gross profit / assets | 32.1%+24 | 35.5%+31 |
| Asset turnover | 0.47× | 0.47× |
Growth
| Measure | JNJ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth (YoY) | 5.9%+6 | 5.1%+1 |
| Earnings growth (YoY) | -95.9%-99 | — |
| Earnings growth (Q) | -95.9%-99 | — |
Valuation
| Measure | JNJ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E (trailing) | 40.03×-39 | 115.29×-97 |
| Forward P/E | 22.71×-8 | 15.73×+48 |
| PEG ratio | 2.96×-88 | 2.75×-75 |
| Price/Book | 7.79×-86 | 8.55×-91 |
| Price/Sales | 6.39×-13 | 5.38×-3 |
| EV/EBITDA | 19.2×-19 | 14.04×+12 |
| FCF yield | 2.9%-24 | 4.2%+3 |
Key figures
| JNJ | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Drug Manufacturers - General | Drug Manufacturers - General |
| Market cap | $635.1B | $358.4B |
| Dividend yield | 2.03% | 2.34% |
| Payout ratio | 80.12% | 266.67% |
| Beta | 0.21 | 0.22 |
About the companies
Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of a range of products in the healthcare field worldwide. Full Johnson & Johnson rating
Merck & Co.. Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide. Full Merck & Co. rating
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These figures were captured on 24 October 2026. StockDecks shows the current numbers, plus Hype, Analyst Upside, Trend Signals and Insider Track, all free.