Compare Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance
Price movement over the last 24 hours
Key statistics
Key statistics
Applied Materials, Inc. vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $582.01 (market cap $478.36B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $124.37 (market cap $305.12B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.75%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $478.36B | $305.12B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $477.39B | $348.54B |
Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 2.75% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Applied Materials (AMAT) trades at $602.50, up 2.35% today, with strong earnings beats in recent quarters and a consensus analyst price target of $644.33. The stock shows a bullish moving average signal but neutral oscillators, with key resistance at $617 and support at $573. Revenue grew to $28.37B in 2025, with a net income margin of 24.66%, though valuation ratios like P/E of 56.68 are elevated. Recent news highlights CEO Gary Dickerson's optimism on AI-driven semiconductor demand, positioning AMAT for multi-year growth.
The outlook for AMAT is positive, driven by AI infrastructure expansion and consistent earnings outperformance. Risks include high valuation multiples and semiconductor cycle volatility. With 76.9% of analysts rating it a buy and institutional sentiment bullish, the stock offers growth potential but requires monitoring of execution and market conditions.
Merck (MRK) trades at $123.54, down 1.22% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $135.14. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of -$1.28 beating expectations. Revenue grew to $65.01B in 2025, and net income reached $18.25B, reflecting a robust 28.07% profit margin. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, signaling strategic growth initiatives.
The outlook for MRK remains positive driven by earnings momentum and strategic acquisitions, though risks include rising debt levels and competitive pressures. Wall Street sentiment is bullish with 68% buy ratings, but investors should monitor execution of the Terns integration and patent expirations. The stock offers potential upside to the price target with solid fundamentals supporting long-term value.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Applied Materials, Inc.
Applied Materials is the world's largest supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, providing materials engineering solutions to help make nearly every chip in the world. The firm's systems are used in nearly every major process step with the exception of lithography. Key tools include those for chemical and physical vapor deposition, etching, chemical mechanical polishing, wafer- and reticle-inspection, critical dimension measurement, and defect-inspection scanning electron microscopes.
Read more on AMAT →About Merck & Co., Inc.
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 →
