Price movement over the last 24 hours
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Archer-Daniels-Midland Co trades at $79.64 (market cap $37.69B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $125.64 (market cap $318.26B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 8.4× Archer-Daniels-Midland Co's market cap, and Archer-Daniels-Midland Co pays the higher dividend (2.66%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ADM | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $37.69B | $318.26B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $84.11 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $53.54 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $47.72B | $361.68B |
Dividend Yield | 2.66% | 2.64% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ADM trades at $78.20, up 1.84% recently, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $78.00. The company has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters, though revenue has declined from $101.6B in 2022 to $80.3B in 2025. Net cash flow improved to $1.58B in 2025, reversing negative trends from prior years, while the stock shows a P/E of 34.79 and P/S of 0.47, indicating mixed valuation signals.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with strong cash flow and earnings beats, but risks include declining revenue margins and competitive pressures. The stock offers value characteristics with a low P/S ratio, yet investors face headwinds from narrowing profit margins and global trade volatility in agricultural markets.
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
Archer-Daniels Midland is a major processor of oilseeds, corn, wheat, and other agricultural commodities. Additionally, the company owns an extensive network of logistical assets to store and transport crops around the globe. ADM also runs a nutrition business that focuses on both human and animal ingredients. The company is also a large producer of corn-based sweeteners, starches, and ethanol.
Read more on ADM →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 →