Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
LLY vs MRK
Eli Lilly and Company versus Merck & Co., Inc. — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
LLY and MRK are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | LLY | MRK | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 0.63% | 2.84% | MRK wins |
| Dividend safety | 8.8/10 | 6.9/10 | LLY wins |
| Growth trend | -0.26% vs 5y | -0.18% vs 5y | Tie |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.48 | 0.20 | MRK wins |
| Scale | $985.4B | $295.7B | LLY wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 2 wins | Tie |
Dimension by dimension
MRK wins on yield (2.84% vs 0.63%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $221 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
LLY wins on safety (8.8/10 vs 6.9/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. LLY scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
Yield trends are similar
Both tickers' current yields sit close to their 5-year averages, suggesting comparable dividend-vs-price trajectories.
MRK is less volatile (beta 0.20 vs 0.48)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
LLY is 3.3× larger by market cap
Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better, LLY or MRK?
LLY and MRK are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
Does LLY or MRK have a higher yield?
On a $10,000 investment that's about $221 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is LLY or MRK a safer dividend?
LLY scores 8.8/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. MRK scores 6.9/10 (Solid). See the safety dimension above for what drove each score.
Should I own both LLY and MRK?
It depends on overlap. Two ETFs in similar categories often hold many of the same companies — owning both can mean paying two expense ratios for similar exposure. Check the underlying holdings before stacking.
Already own LLY or MRK? See if the other adds anything.
Connect your brokerage and Infnits checks whether adding either to your existing portfolio actually diversifies — or just duplicates exposure (ETF look-through included).
Check overlap with my portfolio →