Price movement over the last 24 hours
Apple Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Apple Inc trades at $312.2 (market cap $4.56T), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $125.81 (market cap $318.26B). The key difference: Apple Inc is far larger — about 14.3× Merck & Co., Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.64%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AAPL | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $4.56T | $318.26B |
Volume | 100,358,844 | — |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $315.20 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $202.38 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $4.58T | $361.68B |
Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 2.64% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Apple (AAPL) trades at $310.09, down 0.82% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong institutional support. The company reported robust earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $2.01 exceeding the $1.95 estimate. Revenue for 2025 reached $416.16 billion, driving a net income margin of 26.91%. Analysts maintain a consensus buy rating with a $329.62 price target, citing Apple's massive device base as an AI opportunity.
The outlook remains positive given earnings momentum and a $0.27 dividend, but risks include potential Q2 2026 earnings miss concerns and union disputes. Valuation multiples like P/E of 37.61 suggest premium pricing, requiring sustained growth to justify upside. Institutional holdings show mixed activity, with some trimming positions amid high RSI levels indicating overbought conditions near-term.
Merck (MRK) trades at $126.78, showing stable recent performance with strong institutional interest. The company demonstrates solid fundamentals with 2025 revenue of $65.01B and net income of $18.25B, representing a 28.07% profit margin. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, and the company is actively expanding through strategic acquisitions like Terns Pharmaceuticals. Technical indicators show a bullish trend with moving averages supporting upward momentum, though oscillators suggest some consolidation may be needed.
Merck presents a compelling investment case with strong profitability, consistent earnings beats, and strategic pipeline expansion through M&A. The stock offers 9.9% upside to the consensus price target of $139.33, supported by 67.6% analyst buy ratings. Key risks include patent expirations, competitive pressures in oncology, and integration challenges from recent acquisitions. The company's robust cash flow generation supports continued dividend payments and strategic investments.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers and related personal computing and mobile communication devices along with a variety of related software, services, peripherals, and networking solutions. Apple sells its products worldwide through its online stores, its retail stores, its direct sales force, third-party wholesalers, and resellers.
Read more on AAPL →Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent hepatitis B and pediatric diseases as well as HPV and shingles. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the firm's sales are generated in the United States.
Read more on MRK →