MRK vs AMGN: which was the better investment?
Merck & Co., Inc. against Amgen Inc. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jun 17, 1983 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did MRK beat AMGN?
No — measured from Jun 17, 1983 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, AMGN came out ahead: $15,455,486 versus $2,089,539 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 18.6% annual return against 13.2%.
What would $10,000 in MRK be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) on Jun 17, 1983 would be worth about $2,089,539 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 20795.4% (13.2% per year). The same $10,000 in AMGN would be worth $15,455,486.
Which was riskier — MRK or AMGN?
MRK swung with an annualized volatility of 25.9% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -68.6%; AMGN ran at 37.5% volatility with a -78.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.43 for MRK vs 0.44 for AMGN.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jun 17, 1983 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with MRK vs AMGN. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.