Compare HCA Health Inc (HCA) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
HCA Health Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? HCA Health Inc trades at $371.96 (market cap $82.17B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $124.78 (market cap $307.25B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 3.7× HCA Health Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.73%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HCA | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $82.17B | $307.25B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $545.13 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $334.32 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $131.08B | $350.66B |
Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 2.73% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
HCA Healthcare trades at $370.74, down 0.12% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals including consistent earnings beats and revenue growth to $75.6 billion in 2025. The stock faces headwinds from lowered 2026 guidance and negative news flow, but maintains a solid valuation with a P/E of 12.79 and positive analyst consensus.
The outlook is mixed: attractive valuation and operational strength support upside to the $469.40 price target, but near-term risks from payer mix shifts and legal investigations warrant caution. Long-term growth drivers include capacity expansion and medical advancements, though investor sentiment is currently pressured.
Merck (MRK) trades at $127.5, down slightly (-0.14%) on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $137.30. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 loss narrower than expected, and maintains robust profitability with a net income margin of 13.59%. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives.
The outlook for MRK is positive, supported by earnings momentum, strategic acquisitions, and strong analyst buy ratings (67.57%). Key risks include rising debt levels, with debt-to-asset ratio increasing to 36.06% in 2025, and competitive pressures in the pharmaceutical sector. The stock offers a dividend yield with a recent $0.85 per share payment, appealing for income-focused investors amid steady revenue growth.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About HCA Health Inc
HCA Healthcare is a Nashville-based healthcare provider organization operating the largest collection of acute-care hospitals in the U.S. As of December 2021, the firm owned and operated 182 hospitals, 125 freestanding outpatient surgery centers, and a broad network of physician offices, urgent care clinics, and freestanding emergency rooms across nearly 20 states and a small foothold in England.
Read more on HCA →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 →
