ASML Holding NV vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? ASML Holding NV trades at $1,752.64 (market cap $688.66B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.73 (market cap $305.12B). The key difference: ASML Holding NV is far larger — about 2.3× Merck & Co., Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.75%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ASML | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $688.66B | $305.12B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $1.99K | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $689.63 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $682.20B | $348.54B |
Dividend Yield | 0.49% | 2.75% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ASML trades at $1,797.32, down 0.38% on the day, with technical indicators showing a bullish trend despite recent volatility. The company reported strong Q1 2026 earnings that beat expectations, with revenue reaching $32.67B in 2025 and net income margins of 29.71%. Analyst consensus remains strongly positive with 56.82% buy ratings and a $2,210 price target, though elevated valuation ratios (P/E 61.03) warrant caution.
ASML maintains a dominant position in advanced semiconductor equipment with robust profitability and growth prospects driven by AI infrastructure demand. Key risks include China export restrictions, competitive pressures, and high valuation multiples. The stock offers exposure to critical chip manufacturing technology but requires monitoring of earnings execution and geopolitical developments.
Merck (MRK) trades at $123.585, up 0.04% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong institutional interest. The company reported robust 2025 results with $65.01B revenue and $18.25B net income, beating EPS estimates in recent quarters. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives amid a favorable analyst consensus.
The outlook for MRK is positive, supported by earnings beats, a high analyst buy rating (67.57%), and a consensus price target of $135.14. Key risks include rising debt levels and potential regulatory pressures, but the stock's solid fundamentals and acquisition strategy present a compelling opportunity for growth-oriented investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Founded in 1984 and based in the Netherlands, ASML is the leader in photolithography systems used in the manufacturing of semiconductors. Photolithography is the process in which a light source is used to expose circuit patterns from a photomask onto a semiconductor wafer. The latest technological advances in this segment allow chipmakers to continually increase the number of transistors on the same area of silicon, with lithography historically representing a meaningful portion of the cost of making cutting-edge chips. Chipmakers require next-generation EUV lithography tools from ASML to continue past the 5-nanometer process node. ASML's products are used at every major semiconductor manufacturer, including Intel, Samsung, and TSMC.
Read more on ASML →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 →