Badger Meter Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Badger Meter Inc trades at $143.34 (market cap $4.13B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.59 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 72.2× Badger Meter Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.82%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BMI | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $4.13B | $298.31B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $245.81 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $113.41 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $3.92B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | 1.13% | 2.82% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Badger Meter (BMI) trades at $140.12, down 2.82% today, with a mixed technical picture showing bullish moving averages but neutral oscillators. Fundamentally, the company reported $917M revenue and $142M net income for 2025, with strong profitability margins but recent earnings misses in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. A securities class action lawsuit filed in July 2026 adds significant near-term uncertainty, though analyst consensus remains a Buy with a $144.60 price target.
The stock faces headwinds from legal risks and earnings volatility, but solid fundamentals and analyst support suggest potential recovery if legal concerns subside. Investors should weigh the high valuation multiples against operational strength and monitor lawsuit developments closely for directional cues.
Merck (MRK) trades at $123.6, down 0.35% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong institutional interest. Recent earnings have consistently beaten estimates, including Q1 2026, and the company is acquiring Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline. The stock shows robust profitability with a net income margin of 28.07% in 2025 and a consensus analyst price target of $137.30, indicating potential upside.
The outlook remains positive due to earnings momentum and strategic acquisitions, though risks include rising debt levels and competitive pressures. Investors should weigh the strong analyst buy consensus against execution risks in integrating new assets and macroeconomic uncertainties affecting the pharmaceutical sector.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Badger Meter provides industry-leading water management solutions. Its smart measurement hardware and software analytics help water utilities and industrial customers optimize operations and conserve natural resources.
Read more on BMI →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 →