Compare Becton Dickinson and Co (BDX) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Becton Dickinson and Co vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Becton Dickinson and Co trades at $181.29 (market cap $48.93B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $130.23 (market cap $323.00B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 6.6× Becton Dickinson and Co's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.6%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BDX | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $48.93B | $323.00B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $185.39 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $138.62 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $65.03B | $369.77B |
Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 2.6% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
BDX (Becton, Dickinson and Company) trades at $176.86, down 0.12% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and strong earnings beats in recent quarters. The company reported Q3 2026 revenue of $5.0 billion, up 4.4% FX-neutral, and raised full-year guidance, though margins faced pressure. Analyst sentiment is mixed with a consensus price target of $183.00, while institutional ownership remains stable amid positive news on GLP-1 therapy expansions and dividend declarations.
The stock offers steady growth potential with a 2.7% dividend yield and consistent earnings outperformance, but risks include margin compression, regulatory recalls, and high valuation multiples. Near-term resistance at $180 and support at $173 will test bullish momentum, with the current price near the consensus target suggesting limited upside without further catalysts.
Merck (MRK) trades at $130.90, up 1.81% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook and strong institutional support. Recent earnings beats in Q4 2025 and Q1-Q2 2026, alongside a 28.07% net income margin in 2025, highlight operational strength. The acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, though a high P/E of 104.74 signals premium valuation. Cash flow remains positive at $1.37B in 2025, but investing outflows have increased.
The stock offers growth potential from pipeline expansion and analyst consensus targeting $140.36, but risks include elevated debt-to-asset ratios (36.06% in 2025) and competitive pressures. Investors should weigh robust profitability against valuation concerns and macroeconomic headwinds affecting the pharma sector.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Becton Dickinson and Co
Becton, Dickinson is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of medical surgical products, such as needles, syringes, and sharps-disposal units. The company also manufactures diagnostic instruments and reagents, as well as flow cytometry and cell-imaging systems. BD Interventional (largely the former Bard business) accounts for 23% of revenue. International revenue accounts for 44% of the company's business.
Read more on BDX →About Merck & Co., Inc.
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 →
