Compare Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. (APD) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance
Price movement over the last 24 hours
Key statistics
Key statistics
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. trades at $296.7 (market cap $66.70B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $124.32 (market cap $305.12B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 4.6× Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.75%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| APD | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $66.70B | $305.12B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Health |
52-Week High | $314.19 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $230.42 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $84.11B | $348.54B |
Dividend Yield | 2.42% | 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
APD trades at $299.53, up 1.24% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. Recent earnings beats and strategic project exits, like the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, have boosted investor confidence. The company maintains solid profitability margins but faces pressure from a negative net income in 2025 due to a pre-tax charge. Cash flow trends show volatility, with significant investing outflows for growth initiatives.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $324.89, implying ~8% upside. Risks include high debt levels, execution on new projects, and macroeconomic sensitivity. Long-term growth is supported by renewable energy investments, but near-term profitability recovery is key for sustained gains.
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 Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
Since its founding in 1940, Air Products has become one of the leading industrial gas suppliers globally, with operations in 50 countries and 19,000 employees. The company is the largest supplier of hydrogen and helium in the world. It has a unique portfolio serving customers in a number of industries, including chemicals, energy, healthcare, metals, and electronics. Air Products generated $10.3 billion in revenue in fiscal 2021.
Read more on APD →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 →
