Iron Mountain Inc vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Iron Mountain Inc trades at $127.66 (market cap $36.96B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $125.51 (market cap $307.25B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 8.3× Iron Mountain Inc's market cap, and Iron Mountain Inc pays the higher dividend (2.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| IRM | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.96B | $307.25B |
Sector | Real Estate | Health |
52-Week High | $133.06 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $78.86 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $56.10B | $350.66B |
Dividend Yield | 2.78% | 2.73% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Iron Mountain (IRM) trades at $124.38, up 0.45% for the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong recent earnings beats. The stock has rallied 30.2% over three months, supported by data center growth and recurring storage revenue. However, the company faces high debt levels, with a debt-to-asset ratio of 74.39% in 2024, and a P/E ratio of 134.59 suggests elevated valuation. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $138.67 price target, though the RSI_6 at 84.86 indicates potential overbought conditions near-term.
Outlook remains positive due to consistent earnings outperformance and data center expansion, but risks include significant leverage and declining paper storage demand. The stock offers a dividend yield with a recent $0.86 payment, yet investors should weigh high valuation multiples against growth prospects in a competitive information services sector.
Merck (MRK) trades at $125.25, down 1.76% on the day, with a neutral technical signal. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 results surpassing expectations. Fundamentals show robust profitability with a 73.91% gross margin and 13.59% net margin, though valuations are elevated with a P/E of 35.04. Recent news highlights the company's strategic acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline.
The outlook is supported by a strong analyst consensus with a $137.30 price target and 68% buy ratings, but risks include high valuation multiples, competitive pressures in oncology, and significant capital expenditure for pipeline development as indicated by negative investing cash flow trends.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Iron Mountain Inc is a record management services provider. The firm is organized as a REIT. Most of its revenue comes from its storage business, with the rest coming from value-added services. The firm primarily caters to enterprise clients in developed markets. Its business segments include Global RIM Business
Read more on IRM →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 →