Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK)

$24.99

Return on Equity (ROE)
since 2005

Microsoft Excel

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Calculation

Merck & Co. Inc., ROE, long-term trends, calculation

Microsoft Excel
ROE = 100 × Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.1 ÷ Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity1
Dec 31, 2025 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2024 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2023 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2022 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2021 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2020 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2019 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2018 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2017 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2016 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2015 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2014 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2013 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2012 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2011 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2010 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2009 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2008 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2007 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2006 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2005 = 100 × ÷

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 return on equity (ROE) for the analyzed period exhibits considerable fluctuation. Initially, from 2005 to 2007, a decreasing trend is observed, followed by a substantial increase in 2008. Subsequent years demonstrate volatility, with a significant peak in 2009 before declining sharply in 2010. The period between 2011 and 2015 shows moderate ROE values, followed by another increase towards the end of the decade. Recent years, particularly 2022 and 2023, display a marked divergence from prior trends.

Overall Trend
The ROE does not demonstrate a consistent upward or downward trajectory over the entire period. Instead, it is characterized by cycles of increase and decrease, suggesting sensitivity to underlying financial performance and equity levels. The period from 2016 to 2021 shows a generally increasing trend, but this is interrupted by a dramatic drop in 2022, followed by a recovery in 2023 and 2024.
Significant Peaks
Notable peaks in ROE occur in 2008, 2009, 2019, 2021, 2024. The 2008 peak coincides with a substantial increase in net income. The 2009 peak is associated with a significant increase in total stockholders’ equity. The peaks in 2019, 2021 and 2024 are driven by increases in net income.
Notable Troughs
The lowest ROE values are observed in 2010 and 2022. The 2010 trough is attributable to a significant decrease in net income coupled with a high level of stockholders’ equity. The 2022 trough is primarily due to a substantial decrease in net income, despite a relatively stable equity base.
Relationship to Net Income and Equity
Fluctuations in ROE are strongly correlated with changes in both net income and total stockholders’ equity. Increases in net income generally lead to higher ROE, while increases in equity can dilute ROE, particularly when net income does not increase proportionally. The substantial increase in equity in 2009, while resulting in a high ROE, was followed by a period of lower, but more stable, returns. The dramatic decrease in net income in 2022 had a disproportionately negative impact on ROE.

The volatility in ROE suggests that the company’s profitability and/or its capital structure have undergone significant changes during the analyzed period. Further investigation into the drivers of these changes would be necessary to fully understand the underlying dynamics affecting the company’s financial performance.

Comparison to Competitors

Merck & Co. Inc., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to competitors

Microsoft Excel
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., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to sector (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology & life sciences)

Microsoft Excel
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., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to industry (health care)

Microsoft Excel
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).