Ecopetrol SA vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Ecopetrol SA trades at $17.01 (market cap $34.97B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $130.48 (market cap $323.00B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 9.2× Ecopetrol SA's market cap, and Ecopetrol SA pays the higher dividend (3.81%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| EC | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $34.97B | $323.00B |
Sector | Energy | Health |
52-Week High | $17.40 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $8.53 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $65.28B | $369.77B |
Dividend Yield | 3.81% | 2.6% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Ecopetrol (EC) trades at $16.78, down 3.56% on the day, amid mixed signals. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with moving averages supporting upside, but oscillators are neutral. Fundamentally, revenue and net income have declined from 2022 peaks, though Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations. Recent news includes a cybersecurity incident and expansion efforts in Brazil, adding to volatility. Valuation ratios like P/E of 11.11 and P/S of 0.97 suggest potential undervaluation relative to historical metrics.
The outlook for EC is cautious; analyst consensus is mixed with a $15 price target below the current price. Risks include declining revenue trends, high debt levels, and operational disruptions from recent cyber threats. Opportunities lie in cost management and strategic acquisitions, but investor sentiment remains divided. The stock's near-term performance hinges on execution stability and energy market conditions.
MRK trades at $130.90, up 1.81% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong institutional buying interest. The stock shows robust fundamentals with revenue of $65.01B in 2025 and net income of $18.25B, though a high P/E of 104.74 indicates premium valuation. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $139.90, offering ~7% upside, supported by 67.57% analyst buy ratings. Risks include integration challenges from acquisitions and patent expirations, but strong cash flow and dividend payments provide stability. Investors may find value in Merck's market leadership and pipeline expansion, though valuation metrics warrant caution.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Ecopetrol SA is a vertically integrated oil company with operations in Latin America and the United States Gulf Coast. Based out of Colombia, the company explores, develops, and conducts production activities in various countries. Ecopetrol works as the primary operator or partner in a joint venture, in a host of assets held onshore and offshore. Along with production, the company refines and markets crude oils and byproducts produced from its fields. Crude products are moved by Ecopetrol through a series of pipelines throughout Colombia, along with a network of third-party production centers and facilities.
Read more on EC →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 →