Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation trades at $63.59 (market cap $7.62B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $124 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 39.1× Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation's market cap, and Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation pays the higher dividend (3.71%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BAH | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $7.62B | $298.31B |
Sector | Industrials | Health |
52-Week High | $115.95 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $59.71 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $11.02B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | 3.71% | 2.82% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) trades at $64.80, up 3.25% in the last session, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals including a P/E of 9.39 and net income margin of 7.59%. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, while Q3 2025 missed. The company announced a partnership with OpenAI and an acquisition to bolster its defense technology portfolio, signaling strategic growth in AI and national security sectors.
Outlook is mixed: analyst consensus price target of $78.17 suggests 20% upside, supported by robust cash flow and government contracts, but risks include high debt levels and market volatility. The stock's current price near the low end of analyst targets indicates potential value, though technical indicators warn of short-term pressure.
Merck (MRK) trades at $124.03, up 0.4% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong institutional interest. Recent earnings beats and a 67.57% analyst buy rating support momentum. The company's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals, announced on April 7, 2026, aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, while a dividend of $0.85 per share is scheduled for July 2026.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $137.30, though risks include rising debt levels and competitive pressures. Revenue growth is steady, but net income is projected to decline in 2026, highlighting execution challenges amid strategic expansions.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp is a provider of management consulting services to the U.S. government. Other services offered include technology, such as cloud computing and cybersecurity consulting, and engineering consulting. The consulting services are focused on defense, intelligence, and civil markets. In addition to the U.S. government, Booz Allen Hamilton provides its management and technology consulting services to large corporations, institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The company assists clients in long-term engagements around the globe.
Read more on BAH →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 →