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Eli Lilly vs Merck

LLY vs MRK — return on capital, cash generation, margins and balance sheet side by side.

LLY

8 / 8

measures where LLY leads

MRK

0 / 8

measures where MRK leads

A simple count of which company scores better on each measure — not a recommendation to buy or sell.

MeasureLLY · FY2025MRK · FY2025
Revenue$65.2B$65.0B
Net income$20.6B$18.3B
Revenue growth (yearly, multi-year)23.2%7.5%
Free cash flow—$12.4B
Free cash flow margin—19.0%
Net cash / (debt)——
ROIC36.1%19.0%
Return on equity101.4%36.9%
Gross margin83.0%74.8%
Operating margin45.6%34.0%
Net debt / EBITDA1.25x1.29x

Figures are as reported by each company; latest fiscal year shown.

Where Eli Lilly's cash went (FY2025)

Capital spending
—
Buybacks
—
Dividends
—
Acquisitions
—
Net debt issued / (repaid)
—
Full LLY profile →

Where Merck's cash went (FY2025)

Capital spending
$4.1B
Buybacks
—
Dividends
—
Acquisitions
—
Net debt issued / (repaid)
—
Full MRK profile →

Ask which business is stronger

"Which one reinvests at higher returns?" "Who carries more risk in its filings?" Get answers drawn straight from both companies' filings.

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