Debt to Equity
since 2005
Paying user area
Try for free
Merck & Co. Inc. pages available for free this week:
- Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- Common-Size Balance Sheet: Assets
- Analysis of Geographic Areas
- Enterprise Value (EV)
- Enterprise Value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA)
- Enterprise Value to FCFF (EV/FCFF)
- Dividend Discount Model (DDM)
- Present Value of Free Cash Flow to Equity (FCFE)
- Return on Assets (ROA) since 2005
- Analysis of Revenues
The data is hidden behind: . Unhide it.
Get full access to the entire website from $10.42/mo, or
get 1-month access to Merck & Co. Inc. for $24.99.
This is a one-time payment. There is no automatic renewal.
We accept:
Calculation
Merck & Co. Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, calculation
| Debt to equity | = | Total debt1 | ÷ | Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2024 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2023 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2022 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2021 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2020 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2019 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2018 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2017 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2016 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2015 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2014 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2013 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2012 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2011 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2010 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2009 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2008 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2007 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2006 | = | ÷ | |||
| Dec 31, 2005 | = | ÷ |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
The debt-to-equity ratio for the period between 2005 and 2025 demonstrates a fluctuating pattern, generally trending upwards with notable increases in specific periods. Initial values indicate a moderate level of financial leverage, which subsequently evolved over the analyzed timeframe.
- Initial Period (2005-2009)
- From 2005 to 2009, the debt-to-equity ratio exhibited a decreasing trend, moving from 0.45 to 0.30. This suggests a reduction in the company’s reliance on debt financing relative to equity during this period. However, a significant increase in total debt occurred in 2009, impacting the ratio despite a larger increase in stockholders’ equity.
- Period of Increasing Leverage (2010-2015)
- The years 2010 through 2015 witnessed a consistent increase in the debt-to-equity ratio, rising from 0.33 to 0.59. This indicates a growing reliance on debt to finance operations and investments. Both total debt and, to a lesser extent, stockholders’ equity fluctuated, but the increase in debt consistently outpaced equity growth.
- Peak Leverage and Subsequent Adjustment (2016-2019)
- The ratio continued to climb, peaking at 0.94 in 2018 and 1.02 in 2019. This represents a substantial increase in financial leverage, indicating that debt financing exceeded stockholders’ equity. The increase in the ratio was driven by a consistent rise in total debt and a decline in total stockholders’ equity.
- Recent Years (2020-2025)
- From 2020 to 2025, the debt-to-equity ratio demonstrated increased volatility. A decrease to 0.87 in 2020 was followed by a rise to 0.93 in 2021, a decrease to 0.80 in 2022, and then an increase to 0.94 in 2025. While fluctuations occurred, the ratio remained relatively high compared to the earlier years of the analyzed period. Total debt increased significantly in 2020 and 2021, while stockholders’ equity also experienced growth in 2020, 2021, and 2024. The most recent year, 2025, shows a further increase in total debt, contributing to the ratio’s final value.
Overall, the trend suggests a shift towards greater financial leverage over the analyzed period, with a particularly pronounced increase between 2010 and 2019. While recent years have shown some fluctuation, the debt-to-equity ratio remains elevated compared to the earlier part of the timeframe.
Comparison to Competitors
Merck & Co. Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Merck & Co. Inc. | AbbVie Inc. | Amgen Inc. | Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | Danaher Corp. | Eli Lilly & Co. | Gilead Sciences Inc. | Johnson & Johnson | Pfizer Inc. | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2009 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2006 | ||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2005 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Sector (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences)
Merck & Co. Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to sector (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology & life sciences)
| Merck & Co. Inc. | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | ||
| Dec 31, 2024 | ||
| Dec 31, 2023 | ||
| Dec 31, 2022 | ||
| Dec 31, 2021 | ||
| Dec 31, 2020 | ||
| Dec 31, 2019 | ||
| Dec 31, 2018 | ||
| Dec 31, 2017 | ||
| Dec 31, 2016 | ||
| Dec 31, 2015 | ||
| Dec 31, 2014 | ||
| Dec 31, 2013 | ||
| Dec 31, 2012 | ||
| Dec 31, 2011 | ||
| Dec 31, 2010 | ||
| Dec 31, 2009 | ||
| Dec 31, 2008 | ||
| Dec 31, 2007 | ||
| Dec 31, 2006 | ||
| Dec 31, 2005 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Industry (Health Care)
Merck & Co. Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to industry (health care)
| Merck & Co. Inc. | Health Care | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | ||
| Dec 31, 2024 | ||
| Dec 31, 2023 | ||
| Dec 31, 2022 | ||
| Dec 31, 2021 | ||
| Dec 31, 2020 | ||
| Dec 31, 2019 | ||
| Dec 31, 2018 | ||
| Dec 31, 2017 | ||
| Dec 31, 2016 | ||
| Dec 31, 2015 | ||
| Dec 31, 2014 | ||
| Dec 31, 2013 | ||
| Dec 31, 2012 | ||
| Dec 31, 2011 | ||
| Dec 31, 2010 | ||
| Dec 31, 2009 | ||
| Dec 31, 2008 | ||
| Dec 31, 2007 | ||
| Dec 31, 2006 | ||
| Dec 31, 2005 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).