Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA trades at $25.54 (market cap $142.30B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $121.42 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 2.1× Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA's market cap, and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA pays the higher dividend (4.2%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BBVA | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $142.30B | $298.31B |
Sector | Financials | Health |
52-Week High | $26.14 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $14.73 | $77.60 |
Dividend Yield | 4.2% | 2.82% |
Enterprise Value | — | $341.72B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
BBVA trades at $25.39, down 1.17% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong fundamental metrics including a 26.51% net income margin and 18.67% ROE. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, and revenue has grown steadily from $28.2B in 2022 to $39.4B in 2025. Positive analyst sentiment is reflected in a 53.85% buy rating, though legal and regulatory risks from ongoing probes in Spain present headwinds.
The outlook for BBVA remains positive given robust profitability and analyst support, but investors should weigh the stock's attractive valuation against litigation risks and sector volatility. Upside potential exists if earnings continue to exceed forecasts, but legal developments could pressure the share price near-term.
Merck (MRK) trades at $124.03, up 0.4% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported solid earnings beats in recent quarters, including Q1 2026's better-than-expected loss, and maintains robust profitability with a net income margin of 13.59%. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth efforts amid competitive pressures.
The outlook for MRK is positive, driven by earnings momentum and strategic acquisitions, but risks include patent expirations and rising debt. With a consensus price target of $137.30 offering ~11% upside, the stock presents a compelling opportunity for growth-oriented investors, though macroeconomic and regulatory headwinds warrant caution.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Despite its Spanish origins, BBVA generates three quarters of its profits in emerging markets, especially Mexico that contributes nearly half of BBVA's net profit. BBVA is overwhelmingly a retail and commercial bank with corporate and investment banking forming a smaller part of the overall business.
Read more on BBVA →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 →