Estee Lauder Companies Inc vs Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. — how do they compare? Estee Lauder Companies Inc trades at $88 (market cap $31.76B), while Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. trades at $190.28 (market cap $91.27B). The key difference: Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. is far larger — about 2.9× Estee Lauder Companies Inc's market cap, and Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.07%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| EL | MRSH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $31.76B | $91.27B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Financials |
52-Week High | $119.61 | $211.21 |
52-Week Low | $67.23 | $157.32 |
Enterprise Value | $37.93B | $111.95B |
Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 2.07% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Estée Lauder (EL) trades at $87.19, down 1.31% on the day, with a mixed technical picture showing bullish moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company faces fundamental challenges with a net loss of $1.13B in 2025 and negative profit margins, though recent quarters have consistently beaten EPS expectations. Analyst sentiment is divided with a Hold consensus and $91.67 price target, while institutional activity shows significant position changes including Bank of America's 950.9% stake increase in Q1 2026.
The stock presents a recovery opportunity with strong brand positioning and recent product launches like the Glimmer fragrance, but faces headwinds from declining revenues and profitability. Near-term catalysts include the upcoming Q2 2026 earnings report where EL is expected to post $0.3193 EPS. The key risk remains execution on margin improvement amid competitive pressures in the beauty sector.
Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) trades at $190.79, down 0.45% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong fundamental performance. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates with EPS of $2.96 versus $2.88 expected, driven by 6% revenue growth. The company announced the acquisition of Accel to expand Midwest operations, enhancing its insurance and consulting services. Valuation metrics show a P/E of 23.35 and ROE of 25.72%, reflecting robust profitability.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $202.89, offering ~6% upside. Risks include margin pressure from rising expenses and soft P&C pricing. Institutional activity is mixed, with Bank of America reducing its stake while others like Ashton Thomas Securities added positions. The stock presents a growth opportunity amid strategic expansions, though investors should monitor expense management and competitive dynamics.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc is a professional services firm that provides advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and human capital. The company operates through two main segments: risk and insurance services and consulting. In risk and insurance services, the firm offers services via Marsh (an insurance broker) and Guy Carpenter (a risk and reinsurance specialist). The consulting division comprises Mercer (a provider of human resource services) and Oliver Wyman (management and economic consultancy).
Read more on MRSH →