Bristol-Myers Squibb Co vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Bristol-Myers Squibb Co trades at $58.6 (market cap $116.30B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.19 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 2.6× Bristol-Myers Squibb Co's market cap, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co pays the higher dividend (4.42%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BMY | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $116.30B | $298.31B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $62.37 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $42.60 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $152.24B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | 4.42% | 2.82% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) trades at $59.34, up 3.06% today, with a bullish technical signal and consistent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with a 15.01% net margin and 38.84% ROE, though debt levels have risen. Recent FDA acceptance for mezigdomide in multiple myeloma highlights pipeline progress. Analysts are mixed with a $60 consensus target, slightly above current price.
BMY offers value with a P/E of 16.62 and a safe 4.3% dividend yield, but faces patent cliff risks and pricing pressures. Earnings growth and pipeline execution are key catalysts, while high debt and competitive threats require monitoring. The stock presents a balanced opportunity for income-focused investors with moderate risk tolerance.
Merck (MRK) trades at $123.45, down 0.47% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst consensus. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, including Q1 2026, and the company is actively expanding its oncology pipeline through acquisitions like Terns Pharmaceuticals. Revenue reached $65.01B in 2025 with a net income margin of 28.07%, though 2026 forecasts show a decline in profitability.
The outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $137.30, offering ~11% upside. Key risks include increased debt levels, competitive pressures in oncology, and potential regulatory hurdles from acquisitions. Institutional buying activity supports confidence, but investors should monitor execution on growth initiatives and margin sustainability.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Bristol-Myers Squibb discovers, develops, and markets drugs for various therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, cancer, and immune disorders. A key focus for Bristol is immuno-oncology, where the firm is a leader in drug development. Unlike some of its more diversified peers, Bristol has exited several nonpharmaceutical businesses to focus on branded specialty drugs, which tend to support strong pricing power.
Read more on BMY →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 →