Compare First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
First Solar, Inc. vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? First Solar, Inc. trades at $215.08 (market cap $24.05B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $128.07 (market cap $305.29B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 12.7× First Solar, Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.75% dividend while First Solar, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| FSLR | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $24.05B | $305.29B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $318.30 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $166.82 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $22.21B | $348.71B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.75% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
First Solar (FSLR) trades at $220.58, down 0.2% on the day, with a bearish technical signal driven by moving averages. The company shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 14.46, net income margin of 30.73%, and robust cash flow from operations of $2.06B in 2025. Recent earnings beat in Q1 2026 but missed in prior quarters. Multiple class-action lawsuits filed in July 2026 allege securities fraud, creating near-term legal overhang.
The stock presents a mixed outlook: solid profitability and analyst consensus price target of $275.17 suggest upside, but legal risks and bearish technicals weigh. Investors face tension between strong financial health and potential volatility from litigation outcomes.
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.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic panels, modules, and systems for use in utility-scale development projects. The company's solar modules use cadmium telluride to convert sunlight into electricity. This is commonly called thin-film technology. First Solar is the world's largest thin-film solar module manufacturer. It has production lines in Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, and a new factory under construction in India.
Read more on FSLR →About Merck & Co., Inc.
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 →
