Compare Humana Inc (HUM) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Humana Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Humana Inc trades at $442 (market cap $47.61B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $142.38 (market cap $352.29B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 7.4× Humana Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.38%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Humana Inc for 53 Days and Merck & Co., Inc. for 98 Days on average.
| HUM | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $47.61B | $352.29B |
Volume | 1,827,332 | 6,348,796 |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $409.85 | $156.43 |
52-Week Low | $163.67 | $82.49 |
Typical Hold Time | 53 Days | 98 Days |
Enterprise Value | $54.97B | $399.05B |
Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 2.38% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Humana (HUM) trades at $387.12, down 4.24% today, but maintains a bullish technical outlook with strong institutional support. The stock shows mixed fundamentals with revenue growth to $129.66B in 2025 but declining profit margins at 0.88%. Recent analyst upgrades, including Barclays' $515 target on September 25, 2026, highlight optimism despite ongoing Medicare Advantage plan adjustments affecting member transitions.
Investment outlook remains cautiously optimistic with a consensus price target of $432.63 offering 12% upside. Risks include margin compression, regulatory scrutiny from Medicare billing practices, and competitive pressures in managed care. The company's strong cash position of $20.44B and consistent dividend payments provide stability amid enrollment volatility.
Merck (MRK) trades at $142.79, up 0.61% today, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamental performance. The company reported revenue of $65.01B in 2025 with a net income margin of 28.07%, and recent quarterly EPS have consistently beaten expectations. Merck is actively expanding its pipeline through acquisitions, such as the pending $6.7B purchase of Terns Pharmaceuticals announced in April 2026.
The outlook is supported by solid profitability and analyst optimism, with a consensus price target of $158.78 implying upside. Key risks include integration challenges from acquisitions and competitive pressures in the oncology sector. Cash flow trends show variability, with a projected net cash outflow of $1.2B in 2026 due to significant investing activities.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Investor sentiment on Pluang
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Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
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About Humana Inc
Humana is one of the largest private health insurers in the U.S. with a focus on administering Medicare Advantage plans. The firm has built a niche specializing in government-sponsored programs, with nearly all its medical membership stemming from individual and group Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and the military's Tricare program. The firm is also a leader in stand-alone prescription drug plans for seniors enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. Humana offers employer-based plans primarily for small businesses along with specialty insurance offerings such as dental, vision, and life. Beyond medical insurance, the company provides other healthcare services, including primary-care services, at-home services, and pharmacy benefit management.
Read more on HUM →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 →
