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 $46.18 (market cap $8.73B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $132.93 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 36.9× Core and Main Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.61% dividend while Core and Main Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNM | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.73B | $321.77B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $66.98 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $42.37 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $11.02B | $368.53B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.61% |
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 $46.06, down 0.52% on the day, with a bullish technical signal despite mixed moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $0.57 exceeding expectations. Financials show solid profitability with a 5.87% net income margin and 23.73% ROE, though debt levels remain elevated. Recent news includes institutional position adjustments and a $750 million senior notes offering priced in June 2026.
Outlook is cautiously optimistic with analyst consensus favoring Buy ratings (57%). Key opportunities include margin expansion and municipal strength, while risks involve high debt, competitive pressures, and reliance on infrastructure spending. The stock's valuation at a P/E of 19.76 appears reasonable given growth prospects, but investors should monitor execution against FY26 revenue guidance of $7.8–7.9 billion.
Merck (MRK) trades at $130.45, down 0.34% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue reached $65.01B in 2025, and net income margin improved to 28.07%. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives amid a competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
The outlook for MRK is positive, supported by analyst consensus favoring a buy rating (67.57%) and a price target of $140.36. Key opportunities include pipeline expansion through M&A and solid cash flow generation. Risks involve high valuation multiples, such as a P/E of 104.34, and potential integration challenges from acquisitions. Investors should weigh growth prospects against elevated earnings expectations and market volatility.
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 →
