Estee Lauder Companies Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Estee Lauder Companies Inc trades at $88 (market cap $31.76B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $129.94 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 10.1× Estee Lauder Companies Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| EL | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $31.76B | $321.77B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $119.61 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $67.23 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $37.93B | $368.53B |
Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 2.61% |
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Merck (MRK) trades at $130.9, up 1.81% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $140.36. Recent earnings beats and a 72.97% gross margin highlight strong profitability, while the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline. The stock faces headwinds from a high P/E ratio of 104.34 and fluctuating cash flows.
The outlook is positive with robust fundamentals and strategic M&A, but valuation concerns and competitive pressures in pharma pose risks. Upside is likely if earnings growth continues, though investors should monitor debt levels and integration of acquisitions.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Estee Lauder is the world leader in the global prestige beauty market, participating across skincare (56% of fiscal 2022 sales), makeup (26%), fragrance (14%), and haircare (4%) categories, with popular brands such as Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, La Mer, Jo Malone, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, Origins, Dr. Jart+, and The Ordinary. The firm operates in 150 countries, with 26% of fiscal 2022 revenue stemming from the Americas, 43% from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and 31% from Asia-Pacific. The company sells its products through department stores, travel retail, multi-brand specialty beauty stores, brand-dedicated freestanding stores, e-commerce, salons/spas, and perfumeries.
Read more on EL →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 →