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 $373.38 (market cap $46.31B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $130.59 (market cap $323.00B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 7× Humana Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.6%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HUM | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $46.31B | $323.00B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $409.42 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $163.67 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $53.67B | $369.77B |
Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 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
Humana (HUM) trades at $385.00, up 4.82% today, with a bullish technical outlook and analyst consensus price target of $399.53. Recent earnings beats in Q1 and Q2 2026, alongside revenue growth to $129.66 billion in 2025, support fundamentals, though net margins have compressed. The company is expanding its Medicaid business and targeting margin improvements by 2027.
The stock offers upside to consensus targets but faces risks from Medicare Advantage margin pressures and regulatory changes. Profitability trends are weak despite revenue growth, requiring successful cost management to meet 2028 targets. Institutional sentiment is mixed with a majority hold rating.
Merck (MRK) trades at $130.37, up 1.4% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $139.90. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, with Q2 2026 EPS of -$0.13 surpassing the -$0.27 forecast. The company is actively expanding its pipeline through acquisitions, including the pending $6.7 billion tender offer for Terns Pharmaceuticals announced on April 7, 2026 (Business Wire).
The outlook for MRK is positive, supported by strong institutional buying and a 67.6% buy rating from analysts. Key opportunities include revenue growth to $66.6B in 2026 and a robust oncology portfolio, but risks involve high P/E of 104.7 and rising debt-to-asset ratio of 36.1% in 2025, which could pressure valuation if earnings growth slows.
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 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 →
