D R Horton Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? D R Horton Inc trades at $146.1 (market cap $42.18B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $133.68 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 7.6× D R Horton Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DHI | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $42.18B | $321.77B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $184.04 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $132.53 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $47.28B | $368.53B |
Dividend Yield | 1.19% | 2.61% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
D.R. Horton (DHI) trades at $146.44, down slightly by 0.15% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported Q3 2026 EPS of $3.20, beating estimates, but lowered full-year sales guidance due to soft demand. Valuation metrics appear reasonable with a P/E of 14.37 and P/S of 1.31, while profitability margins have compressed over recent years.
The outlook is mixed: strong cash flow and execution support the stock, but elevated mortgage rates and weak homebuying trends pose headwinds. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $153 price target, indicating modest upside potential, though risks from housing market volatility persist.
Merck & Co. (MRK) trades at $133.64, up 2.09% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong institutional buying interest. The company reported solid earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 EPS expected at $2.27. Revenue for 2025 reached $65.01B, and net income was $18.25B, though the P/E ratio of 104.34 suggests high valuation expectations. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline.
Outlook: MRK's growth is supported by strategic acquisitions and a dominant oncology franchise, but risks include high valuation multiples and competitive pressures. The consensus price target of $140.36 implies modest upside, with 68% of analysts rating it a Buy. Investors should monitor execution on the Terns integration and Q3 earnings results for catalysts.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
D.R. Horton is a leading homebuilder in the United States with operations in 98 markets across 31 states. D.R. Horton mainly builds single-family detached homes (over 90% of home sales revenue) and offers products to entry-level, move-up, luxury buyers, and active adults. The company offers homebuyers mortgage financing and title agency services through its financial services segment. D.R. Horton's headquarters are in Arlington, Texas, and it manages six regional segments across the United States.
Read more on DHI →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 →