Compare British American Tobacco PLC (BTI) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
British American Tobacco PLC vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? British American Tobacco PLC trades at $58.97 (market cap $124.84B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.47 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 2.4× British American Tobacco PLC's market cap, and British American Tobacco PLC pays the higher dividend (5.74%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BTI | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $124.84B | $298.31B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $66.70 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $50.39 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $166.06B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | 5.74% | 2.82% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
British American Tobacco (BTI) trades at $58.95, down 1.78% on the day, with mixed technical signals showing bearish moving averages but neutral oscillators. Fundamentally, the company maintains strong profitability with 30.32% net income margin and attractive valuation at 12.79 P/E ratio. Recent earnings show beats in Q2 and Q4 2025, though Q4 2024 missed expectations. The company is undergoing restructuring with 5,500 job cuts announced in June 2026 to streamline operations and reduce costs.
BTI presents a compelling value opportunity with strong dividend yield and improving earnings trajectory, though facing regulatory headwinds and declining cigarette volumes. The stock's current valuation appears attractive relative to historical levels, supported by robust cash flow generation and strategic pivot toward smoke-free products. Key risks include ongoing regulatory pressures and consumer shift away from traditional tobacco products.
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.
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 British American Tobacco PLC
Following the acquisition of Reynolds American, British American Tobacco is neck-and-neck with Philip Morris International to be the largest listed global tobacco company--slightly larger than PMI on net revenue, but slightly smaller on total tobacco volume. British American's Global Drive Brands are Dunhill, Kent, Pall Mall, Lucky Strike, and Rothmans, and it also owns Newport and Camel in the U.S. The firm also sells vapor e-cigarettes, including its Vype brand, heated tobacco, with Glo, as well as roll- your-own and smokeless tobacco products. The company holds 31% of ITC Limited, the leading Indian cigarette-maker.
Read more on BTI →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 →
