Compare Kimberly Clark Corp (KMB) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Kimberly Clark Corp vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Kimberly Clark Corp trades at $109.11 (market cap $36.11B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $133.22 (market cap $321.77B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 8.9× Kimberly Clark Corp's market cap, and Kimberly Clark Corp pays the higher dividend (4.72%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KMB | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.11B | $321.77B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $134.81 | $131.84 |
52-Week Low | $93.05 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $41.67B | $368.53B |
Dividend Yield | 4.72% | 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
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) trades at $108.02, down 1.51% today, with a bearish technical signal and mixed fundamentals. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed expectations, prompting a lowered 2026 outlook due to China diaper market weakness and North American volatility. The company maintains strong profitability with a net income margin of 11.79% and a high ROE of 129.43%, but faces revenue pressure with 2025 sales at $16.45B, down from prior years. Dividend payments remain steady at $1.28 per share, supporting income investors.
KMB presents a cautious outlook with near-term headwinds overshadowing long-term strengths. Investment opportunities include a discounted valuation relative to historical levels and a reliable dividend yield. Key risks involve execution challenges in China, competitive pressures, and macroeconomic sensitivity. Analyst consensus is mixed, with a $113.20 price target suggesting modest upside, but investors should weigh operational uncertainties against the company's brand resilience and cost-saving initiatives.
Merck (MRK) trades at $130.9, up 1.81% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $140.36. Recent earnings beats and a 72.97% gross margin highlight strong profitability, while the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline. The stock faces headwinds from a high P/E ratio of 104.34 and fluctuating cash flows.
The outlook is positive with robust fundamentals and strategic M&A, but valuation concerns and competitive pressures in pharma pose risks. Upside is likely if earnings growth continues, though investors should monitor debt levels and integration of acquisitions.
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 Kimberly Clark Corp
With around half of sales from personal care and another third from tissue products, Kimberly-Clark sits as a leading manufacturer of tissue and hygiene realm. Its brand mix includes Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, and Cottonelle. The firm also operates K-C Professional, which partners with businesses to provide safety and sanitary products for the workplace. Kimberly-Clark generates just over of half its sales in North America and more than 10% in Europe, with the rest primarily concentrated in Asia and Latin America.
Read more on KMB →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 →
