Head-to-head · free
Merck vs UnitedHealth Group
MRK vs UNH — return on capital, cash generation, margins and balance sheet side by side.
MRK
7 / 10
measures where MRK leads
UNH
3 / 10
measures where UNH leads
A simple count of which company scores better on each measure — not a recommendation to buy or sell.
| Measure | MRK · FY2025 | UNH · FY2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $65.0B | $447.6B |
| Net income | $18.3B | $12.1B |
| Revenue growth (yearly, multi-year) | 7.5% | 11.7% |
| Free cash flow | $12.4B | $16.1B |
| Free cash flow margin | 19.0% | 3.6% |
| Net cash / (debt) | — | (54.0B) |
| ROIC | 19.0% | 9.2% |
| Return on equity | 36.9% | 12.9% |
| Gross margin | 74.8% | 18.5% |
| Operating margin | 34.0% | 4.2% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 1.29x | 2.32x |
Figures are as reported by each company; latest fiscal year shown.
Where Merck's cash went (FY2025)
- Capital spending
- $4.1B
- Buybacks
- —
- Dividends
- —
- Acquisitions
- —
- Net debt issued / (repaid)
- —
Where UnitedHealth Group's cash went (FY2025)
- Capital spending
- $3.6B
- Buybacks
- $5.5B
- Dividends
- $7.9B
- Acquisitions
- $4.5B
- Net debt issued / (repaid)
- $726.0M
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.
Compare them free