DuPont de Nemours Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? DuPont de Nemours Inc trades at $134.41 (market cap $17.91B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $121.63 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 16.7× DuPont de Nemours Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.82%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DD | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $17.91B | $298.31B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Health |
52-Week High | $154.59 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $87.72 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $20.37B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | 1.81% | 2.82% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
DuPont (DD) trades at $132.66, down 1.5% with bearish technical signals despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows mixed fundamentals with strong gross margins (35.01%) but negative net income margin (-0.42%) and ROE (-0.16%). Analyst consensus remains bullish with a $227.20 price target (71% upside), though the company faces legal challenges and persistent net cash outflows. Recent developments include water technology upgrades and a 3:1 reverse stock split effective June 2026.
While analyst optimism and valuation discount to price target suggest potential upside, investors face significant risks including ongoing litigation over 'forever chemicals,' weak profitability trends, and concerning cash flow patterns. The stock's current technical weakness near support levels requires careful monitoring of Q2 2026 earnings results due July 2026.
Merck (MRK) trades at $124.03, up 0.4% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported solid earnings beats in recent quarters, including Q1 2026's better-than-expected loss, and maintains robust profitability with a net income margin of 13.59%. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth efforts amid competitive pressures.
The outlook for MRK is positive, driven by earnings momentum and strategic acquisitions, but risks include patent expirations and rising debt. With a consensus price target of $137.30 offering ~11% upside, the stock presents a compelling opportunity for growth-oriented investors, though macroeconomic and regulatory headwinds warrant caution.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
DuPont is a diversified global specialty chemicals company created in 2019 as a result of the DowDuPont merger and subsequent separations. Its portfolio includes specialty chemicals and downstream products that serve the electronics and communication, automotive, construction, safety and protection, and water management industries. DuPont benefits from the ability to produce patented specialty chemicals that command pricing power. Noteworthy products include Kevlar, Tyvek, and Nomex have evolved over time to enable a wide range of applications across multiple industries.
Read more on DD →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 →