Merck & Company Inc (MRK)

Financial leverage ratio

		Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020	Dec 31, 2019	Sep 30, 2019	Jun 30, 2019	Mar 31, 2019
Total assets	US$ in thousands	106,675,000	106,727,000	104,469,000	107,796,000	109,160,000	107,081,000	107,095,000	106,668,000	105,694,000	93,494,000	90,688,000	90,847,000	91,588,000	89,800,000	90,615,000	84,913,000	84,397,000	83,331,000	83,965,000	82,354,000
Total stockholders’ equity	US$ in thousands	37,581,000	41,246,000	38,693,000	46,834,000	45,991,000	44,458,000	43,243,000	40,883,000	38,184,000	35,794,000	33,294,000	26,945,000	25,317,000	29,186,000	27,642,000	26,205,000	25,907,000	26,838,000	27,635,000	27,539,000
Financial leverage ratio		2.84	2.59	2.70	2.30	2.37	2.41	2.48	2.61	2.77	2.61	2.72	3.37	3.62	3.08	3.28	3.24	3.26	3.10	3.04	2.99

December 31, 2023 calculation

Financial leverage ratio = Total assets ÷ Total stockholders’ equity
= $106,675,000K ÷ $37,581,000K
= 2.84

The financial leverage ratio of Merck & Co Inc has been fluctuating over the last eight quarters. In Q4 2023, the ratio was 2.84, indicating that the company's debt levels were high compared to its equity. This was an increase from the previous quarter, where the ratio was 2.59. Q1 2023 saw a lower ratio of 2.30, which suggests a decrease in the company's leverage.

Looking back at Q4 2022, the financial leverage ratio was 2.37, showing a slight improvement compared to Q3 2022 where it was 2.41. However, the ratio increased in the following quarters, reaching 2.61 in Q1 2022.

Overall, the trend in the financial leverage ratio of Merck & Co Inc has been somewhat inconsistent, with fluctuations in debt levels relative to equity. Investors and analysts may need to closely monitor the company's leverage position in the future to assess its financial health and risk levels.