Compare iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF trades at $79.61, while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $132.93 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.61% dividend while iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF pays none, and Merck & Co., Inc. is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HYG | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Sector | Fixed Income | Health |
52-Week High | $81.32 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $78.72 | $77.60 |
Market Cap | — | $321.77B |
Enterprise Value | — | $368.53B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.61% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
HYG trades at $79.61, up 0.16% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. Recent dividends include $0.38 paid in August 2026. News highlights bond market volatility amid oil price swings and inflation data, with HYG facing criticism for underperformance versus peers on expenses and yield.
The outlook is cautious due to high-yield bond risks from rising rates and economic uncertainty. Opportunities exist for income seekers, but downside risks are elevated with support at $79. Investors should weigh HYG's liquidity against weaker metrics compared to alternatives.
Merck (MRK) trades at $130.45, down 0.34% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue reached $65.01B in 2025, and net income margin improved to 28.07%. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives amid a competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
The outlook for MRK is positive, supported by analyst consensus favoring a buy rating (67.57%) and a price target of $140.36. Key opportunities include pipeline expansion through M&A and solid cash flow generation. Risks involve high valuation multiples, such as a P/E of 104.34, and potential integration challenges from acquisitions. Investors should weigh growth prospects against elevated earnings expectations and market volatility.
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 iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
HYG is the world's largest high-yield bond ETF, tracking the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index. It provides liquid exposure to non-investment grade corporate debt, with 2026 top holdings including Cloud Software Group and Medline.
Read more on HYG →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 →
