Compare Diageo plc (DEO) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Diageo plc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Diageo plc trades at $81.02 (market cap $45.41B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $122.77 (market cap $298.31B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 6.6× Diageo plc's market cap, and Diageo plc pays the higher dividend (4.02%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DEO | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $45.41B | $298.31B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $115.33 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $72.47 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $66.23B | $341.72B |
Dividend Yield | 4.02% | 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
Diageo (DEO) trades at $82.50, up 0.57% today, with a bullish technical trend and strong profitability metrics including a 12.19% net margin and 22.29% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed results with a Q4 2025 beat but a Q2 2025 miss, while analyst sentiment is positive with 49% buy ratings. The stock faces headwinds from weak U.S. spirits demand and promotional pressures, as noted in recent Deutsche Bank and UBS reports from July 2026.
The outlook hinges on management's strategy reset in August 2026 to address U.S. volume declines and margin pressures. Investment appeal lies in its discounted valuation relative to historical multiples and dividend yield, but risks include sustained consumer moderation trends and execution challenges in key markets.
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.
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 Diageo plc
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. It operates a vast portfolio of spirits and beers across more than 180 countries.
Read more on DEO →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 →
