AGNC Investment Corp vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? AGNC Investment Corp trades at $10.96 (market cap $12.91B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $133.13 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 24.9× AGNC Investment Corp's market cap, and AGNC Investment Corp pays the higher dividend (13.22%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AGNC | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $12.91B | $321.77B |
Sector | Financials | Health |
52-Week High | $12.17 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $9.46 | $77.60 |
Dividend Yield | 13.22% | 2.61% |
Enterprise Value | — | $368.53B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AGNC Investment Corp. trades at $10.955, up 1.81% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The mortgage REIT reported strong profitability with a 94.38% net income margin and 21.67% ROE. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 and Q2 2026, though Q4 2025 missed. The company maintains a consistent monthly dividend, recently paying $0.12 per share. Analyst consensus price target is $11.30, suggesting modest upside from current levels.
AGNC offers high yield income potential with a secure dividend history, but faces interest rate sensitivity as a leveraged mREIT. Revenue growth from $1.8B in 2025 to $2.4B projected for 2026 supports dividend sustainability. Primary risks include mortgage spread compression and Federal Reserve policy changes. Institutional ownership trends show continued interest, with CalPERS increasing its stake in 2026.
Merck & Co. (MRK) trades at $133.64, up 2.09% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong institutional buying interest. The company reported solid earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 EPS expected at $2.27. Revenue for 2025 reached $65.01B, and net income was $18.25B, though the P/E ratio of 104.34 suggests high valuation expectations. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline.
Outlook: MRK's growth is supported by strategic acquisitions and a dominant oncology franchise, but risks include high valuation multiples and competitive pressures. The consensus price target of $140.36 implies modest upside, with 68% of analysts rating it a Buy. Investors should monitor execution on the Terns integration and Q3 earnings results for catalysts.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
AGNC Investment Corp is a real estate investment trust that invests in agency residential mortgage-backed securities. The firm's asset portfolio is comprised of residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or by a U.S. Government agency, such as the Government National Mortgage Association. It also invests in other types of mortgage and mortgage-related residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities or other investments in or related to, the housing, mortgage or real estate markets.
Read more on AGNC →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 →