Bath & Body Works Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Bath & Body Works Inc trades at $18.99 (market cap $3.89B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $130.6 (market cap $323.00B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 83× Bath & Body Works Inc's market cap, and Bath & Body Works Inc pays the higher dividend (4.14%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BBWI | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $3.89B | $323.00B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $31.87 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $14.85 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $7.79B | $369.77B |
Dividend Yield | 4.14% | 2.6% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
BBWI trades at $20.36, up 1.09% daily, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals including a low P/E of 5.78 and net income margin of 10.03%. Recent earnings show mixed beats, while cash flow trends improved in 2026 forecasts. The company expands globally via Ulta Beauty partnerships and Brazil entry, supporting growth narratives amid revenue declines from $7.9B in 2022 to $7.3B in 2025.
Outlook balances deep value with execution risks; analyst consensus price target of $22.11 implies upside, but high debt and revenue pressures require monitoring turnaround initiatives. Opportunities lie in margin strength and expansion, while risks include competitive retail headwinds and liability management.
MRK trades at $130.90, up 1.81% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong institutional buying interest. The stock shows robust fundamentals with revenue of $65.01B in 2025 and net income of $18.25B, though a high P/E of 104.74 indicates premium valuation. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $139.90, offering ~7% upside, supported by 67.57% analyst buy ratings. Risks include integration challenges from acquisitions and patent expirations, but strong cash flow and dividend payments provide stability. Investors may find value in Merck's market leadership and pipeline expansion, though valuation metrics warrant caution.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Bath & Body Works is a specialty home fragrance and fragrant body care retailer operating under the Bath & Body Works, C.O. Bigelow, and White Barn brands. The company generates most of its business in North America, with less than 5% of sales from international markets in fiscal 2021. For fiscal 2021, 72% of sales stemmed from the brick-and-mortar network (which is composed of more than 1,700 retail stores), up from 65% in 2020, as consumer shopping patterns began to return to normal. Future growth is expected from store reformatting, digital and international channels, as well as new category expansion.
Read more on BBWI →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 →