Johnson & Johnson vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Johnson & Johnson trades at $260.77 (market cap $626.09B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $133.55 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Johnson & Johnson is the larger of the two by market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| JNJ | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $626.09B | $321.77B |
Volume | 6,156,228 | — |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $267.24 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $172.78 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $654.37B | $368.53B |
Dividend Yield | 2.06% | 2.61% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) trades at $260.88, down 0.36% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a net margin of 21.48% and ROE of 25.74%, though valuations like a P/E of 30.14 appear elevated. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 and Q2 2026, and the company maintains a 64-year dividend growth streak, with analyst consensus leaning bullish.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $284.50, offering potential upside, but risks include legal challenges and high debt-to-asset ratio of 24.06% in 2025. Investors benefit from steady dividends and defensive positioning in healthcare, though valuation multiples may limit near-term gains amid economic uncertainty.
MRK trades at $133.6, up 2.06% today, near its 52-week high. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving average support. Recent earnings have consistently beaten estimates, with Q3 2026 expected at $2.27 EPS. The company's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, while revenue growth remains steady at $65.01B in 2025.
MRK presents a positive outlook with a consensus price target of $140.36, indicating potential upside. Strong institutional buying and a 67.57% buy rating from analysts support bullish sentiment. Risks include rising debt-to-asset ratios and competitive pressures in the pharma sector. The dividend yield of $0.85 per half-year adds income appeal for long-term investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Johnson & Johnson manufactures health care products and provides related services for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics markets. The Company sells products such as skin and hair care products, acetaminophen products, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic equipment, and surgical equipment in countries located around the world.
Read more on JNJ →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 →