e l f Beauty Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? e l f Beauty Inc trades at $74.82 (market cap $4.37B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $128.25 (market cap $305.29B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 69.9× e l f Beauty Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.75% dividend while e l f Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ELF | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $4.37B | $305.29B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $146.67 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $49.57 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $5.00B | $348.71B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.75% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ELF Beauty trades at $74.77, up 3.49% with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company shows strong revenue growth reaching $1.31B in 2025 but faces margin compression with net income margin at 1.61%. Recent earnings beats and analyst coverage skewed toward buy/hold suggest cautious optimism. Technical indicators show support at $73 and resistance at $76, with RSI neutral but ADX signaling strong trend momentum.
Outlook remains mixed: growth initiatives in skincare and international markets provide upside, but high P/E of 168.68 and margin pressures pose valuation risks. Analyst consensus target of $74.42 aligns with current price, indicating limited near-term upside. Key risks include competitive pressures and execution on brand expansion.
Merck (MRK) trades at $128.00, up 5.96% on the day. The stock shows a bullish technical signal with strong moving average support, while fundamentals reveal robust profitability with a 73.91% gross margin and consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. The company is actively expanding its oncology pipeline through acquisitions, most notably the $6.7 billion tender offer for Terns Pharmaceuticals announced in April 2026.
The outlook is positive, supported by strong analyst consensus (67.57% Buy rating) and a price target implying ~7% upside. Key opportunities include pipeline expansion via M&A and solid cash flow generation. Primary risks involve integration of large acquisitions, patent cliffs for key drugs, and intense competition in the oncology space, which could pressure future growth margins.
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 →