Head to head · SEC data as of September 11, 2026
Pfizer
46
Quality score · out of 100
Merck
48
Quality score · out of 100
On paper this one is nearly a draw: Pfizer scores 46 and Merck scores 48 out of 100 in our fundamental quality model. Merck wins on cash generation (FCF) (24.1% vs 17.2%).
| Metric | Pfizer | Merck |
|---|---|---|
| Quality score (0-100) | 46 | 48 |
| Net margin | 6.8% | 4.8% |
| Gross margin | — | — |
| ROE | 5.1% | 7.6% |
| Net debt/EBITDA | 4.6× | 4.32× |
| FCF margin | 17.2% | 24.1% |
| Revenue growth (annualized) | 8% | 9% |
| Earnings growth (annualized) | -13% | -13.5% |
TTM metrics with official SEC data, refreshed daily. Bold green marks the winner of each metric. A dash means the metric doesn't apply or isn't reliable.
Pfizer. Pfizer is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. It researches, develops and sells medicines and vaccines. After the huge but temporary boost from its COVID products, its challenge is to grow again with the rest of its portfolio and its new acquisitions.
Merck. Merck is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. Its business depends largely on a blockbuster cancer drug (Keytruda), plus vaccines and animal health.
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What this comparison doesn't tell you
The score measures business quality, not whether the stock is cheap or expensive: the better company can be the worse investment if you overpay. For the valuation verdict, enter each one's current price in the analyzer:
Who has the stronger fundamentals today, Pfizer or Merck?
They're practically tied: Pfizer and Merck score 48 and 46 out of 100 in the StockSemáforo model (profitability, growth and financial strength, built on official SEC data). The score is recomputed nightly with the latest filings.
Does that make Merck the better investment?
No. The score measures business quality, not valuation: an excellent company can trade at an excessive price and be a poor investment at that price. To find out whether it's cheap or expensive, enter its current quote in the StockSemáforo analyzer.
Other comparisons
Johnson & Johnson vs Pfizer · Eli Lilly vs AbbVie · Amgen vs Gilead · UnitedHealth vs CVS Health · Merck vs Bristol Myers Squibb · See all comparisons →
Who's behind the methodology and model · how the score is computed
Data: official SEC filings (EDGAR) · Recomputed on September 11, 2026
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