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 $410.01 (market cap $89.64B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $130.11 (market cap $323.00B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 3.6× HCA Health Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.6%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HCA | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $89.64B | $323.00B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $545.13 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $361.32 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $140.18B | $369.77B |
Dividend Yield | 0.75% | 2.6% |
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 $413.36, up 1.09% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $449.93. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $7.59 per share, beating estimates, and has shown consistent revenue growth, reaching $75.60 billion in 2025. Recent corporate actions include dividend payments of $0.78 per share, while news highlights executive appointments and ongoing legal investigations.
The stock presents a compelling investment case with attractive valuation multiples like a P/E of 13.86 and robust profitability, but faces risks from legal probes and high debt levels. Upside potential is supported by analyst optimism and solid operational cash flow, though investors should monitor expense pressures and regulatory developments.
Merck (MRK) trades at $130.90, up 1.81% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook and strong institutional support. Recent earnings beats in Q4 2025 and Q1-Q2 2026, alongside a 28.07% net income margin in 2025, highlight operational strength. The acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, though a high P/E of 104.74 signals premium valuation. Cash flow remains positive at $1.37B in 2025, but investing outflows have increased.
The stock offers growth potential from pipeline expansion and analyst consensus targeting $140.36, but risks include elevated debt-to-asset ratios (36.06% in 2025) and competitive pressures. Investors should weigh robust profitability against valuation concerns and macroeconomic headwinds affecting the pharma sector.
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 →
