Compare A O Smith Corp (AOS) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance
Price movement over the last 24 hours
Key statistics
Key statistics
A O Smith Corp vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? A O Smith Corp trades at $60.44 (market cap $8.33B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $124.3 (market cap $305.12B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 36.6× A O Smith Corp's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.75%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AOS | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.33B | $305.12B |
Sector | Industrials | Health |
52-Week High | $80.47 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $55.78 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $8.78B | $348.54B |
Dividend Yield | 2.35% | 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
A.O. Smith (AOS) trades at $60.44, up 2.41% today, with a bearish technical signal despite recent leadership changes. The company reported mixed Q1 2026 earnings, missing EPS estimates at $0.85 versus $0.94 expected, while maintaining solid profitability with a 13.84% net margin. Cash flow trends show improving operations, and the stock offers a dividend with a recent $0.36 payout announced.
The outlook is cautious due to earnings volatility and bearish technicals, but valuation appears reasonable with a P/E of 16.12. Risks include China market weakness and competitive pressures, while analyst consensus leans hold with a $68 price target suggesting modest upside potential from current levels.
Merck (MRK) trades at $123.54, down 1.22% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $136.38. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, with Q1 2026 showing a smaller loss than forecast. The company's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, while strong profitability metrics like a 73.91% gross margin and 18.97% ROE highlight operational efficiency.
The outlook remains positive given analyst support and strategic M&A, but risks include rising debt levels and patent expirations. Revenue growth is steady, though 2026 net income is projected to decline. Investors should weigh the stock's premium valuation against its robust dividend and pipeline expansion.
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 A O Smith Corp
A.O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets comprehensive lines of residential and commercial gas, gas tankless, and electric water heaters. Supplementary products include water heating equipment, condensing and noncondensing boilers, and water system tanks. The company's two operating segments are by geographic region: North America (majority of total revenue) and the Rest of the World. A material portion of sales in North America derive from replacing existing products, and the company utilizes a wholesale distribution channel and multiple selling locations. The Rest of the World segment sells primarily to Asian countries and operates sales offices to expand distribution and market its product portfolio.
Read more on AOS →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 →
