e l f Beauty Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? e l f Beauty Inc trades at $94.99 (market cap $5.62B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $130.46 (market cap $323.00B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 57.5× e l f Beauty Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.6% dividend while e l f Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ELF | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $5.62B | $323.00B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $146.67 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $49.57 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $6.20B | $369.77B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.6% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ELF trades at $98.49, up 6.69% in 24 hours, near its 52-week high. The stock exhibits a bullish technical trend with strong support at $93 and resistance at $101. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations with EPS of $1.75 versus $0.71 expected, driven by 36% revenue growth and the Rhode acquisition. The company raised fiscal 2027 guidance, reflecting robust demand and international expansion.
Outlook remains positive due to consistent sales growth and strategic initiatives, but risks include high valuation (P/E 97.18) and reliance on acquisitions for growth. The stock offers growth potential but faces margin pressure from increased investments and competitive dynamics in the beauty sector.
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
e.l.f. Beauty is a leading cosmetics company offering high-quality, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free products. It is known for its affordable and prestige-quality makeup and skincare items for a diverse global audience.
Read more on ELF →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 →