Compare Core and Main Inc (CNM) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Core and Main Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Core and Main Inc trades at $44.76 (market cap $8.46B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $123.49 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 35.3× Core and Main Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.82% dividend while Core and Main Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNM | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.46B | $298.31B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $66.98 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $44.29 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $10.76B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | — | 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
Core & Main (CNM) trades at $44.74, down 2.44% today, amid bearish technical signals but strong fundamentals. The stock shows consistent earnings beats, with Q1 2026 EPS of $0.72 exceeding expectations, and maintains solid profitability with a 23.73% ROE. Recent news highlights municipal strength and margin gains, though residential segments face weakness. Cash flow trends improved in 2026 projections, with net cash flow rising to $142M from $7M in 2025.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus leans bullish with 57% buy ratings, but technical indicators signal near-term pressure. Key risks include industry headwinds like high operating costs and residential market softness. Investors should weigh strong fundamentals against current bearish momentum for entry timing.
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 Core and Main Inc
Core & Main is a leading US distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products. It provides essential infrastructure solutions to municipalities, private water companies, and contractors.
Read more on CNM →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 →
