Autozone Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Autozone Inc trades at $2,978.99 (market cap $49.50B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.93 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 6× Autozone Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.82% dividend while Autozone Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZO | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $49.50B | $298.31B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $4.35K | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $2.94K | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $61.88B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.82% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AutoZone (AZO) trades at $3,078.98, up 0.21% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages despite neutral oscillators. The company reported mixed recent earnings, beating in Q1 2026 but missing in Q3 2025, with revenue growing to $18.94B in 2025. Analyst sentiment remains strongly positive with a 72.73% buy rating and a consensus price target of $3,740, though recent news highlights stock volatility and competitive pressures.
The outlook for AZO is supported by solid fundamentals, including a 12.4% net income margin and aggressive share buybacks, but risks include slowing profit margin trends and bearish technical indicators. Upside potential exists if the company meets Q2 2026 EPS expectations of 54.51, though investors should monitor same-store sales growth and international expansion execution.
Merck (MRK) trades at $120.8, down 2.6% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong support near $120. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, including Q1 2026's smaller-than-expected loss. The company is acquiring Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives. Revenue reached $65.01B in 2025 with a net income margin of 28.07%, though 2026 projections show a decline to 13.58%.
The outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $137.30, implying 13.7% upside. Key opportunities include pipeline expansion via M&A and robust profitability, but risks involve rising debt, patent expirations, and competitive pressures. Institutional buying activity supports bullish sentiment, though earnings volatility and macroeconomic factors warrant caution.
Trailing returns across standard periods
AutoZone is the premier seller of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, and accessories to do-it-yourself customers in the United States. The company derives an increasing proportion of its sales from domestic commercial customers, although its presence in its home market is still dominated by its do-it-yourself operation, which accounts for nearly 75% of sales in country. AutoZone also has a growing presence in Mexico and Brazil. AutoZone had 6,767 stores in the U.S. (6,051), Mexico (664), and Brazil (52) as of the end of fiscal 2021.
Read more on AZO →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 →