Compare Kroger Co (KR) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Kroger Co vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Kroger Co trades at $60.87 (market cap $36.27B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $146.29 (market cap $351.28B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 9.7× Kroger Co's market cap, and Kroger Co pays the higher dividend (2.54%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Kroger Co for 108 Days and Merck & Co., Inc. for 98 Days on average.
| KR | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.27B | $351.28B |
Volume | 8,301,523 | 7,969,665 |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $75.60 | $156.43 |
52-Week Low | $55.53 | $82.49 |
Typical Hold Time | 108 Days | 98 Days |
Enterprise Value | $57.69B | $398.04B |
Dividend Yield | 2.54% | 2.39% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Kroger (KR) trades at $61.64, up 4.03% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The stock shows mixed fundamentals with a low P/S ratio of 0.26 but elevated P/E of 33.19, while recent earnings beat expectations in two of the last three quarters. Analyst consensus is moderately bullish with a $70.62 price target, representing 14.6% upside potential from current levels.
Kroger offers value through its low valuation multiples and consistent dividends, but faces headwinds from competitive pressures and integration risks from pending acquisitions. The company's digital growth initiatives and retail media expansion provide growth catalysts, though margin compression remains a concern amid rising costs and softer sales guidance for fiscal 2026.
Merck (MRK) trades at $145.6, up 1.97% today, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamental performance. Recent earnings have consistently beaten estimates, and the company is expanding its oncology pipeline through the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals. Revenue growth is steady, with 2025 revenue at $65.01B and net income of $18.25B, though 2026 projections show a significant drop in net income to $3.2B. The stock is supported by a high analyst buy consensus of 68.42% and a price target of $158.78.
The outlook for MRK is mixed; strong earnings beats and strategic acquisitions provide upside potential, but high valuation ratios and a projected earnings decline in 2026 pose risks. Investors should weigh the company's robust profitability and analyst support against execution risks and market volatility.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Kroger Co
Kroger is the leading American grocer, with 2,726 supermarkets operating under several banners throughout the country as of the end of fiscal 2021. Around 83% of stores have pharmacies, while nearly 60% also sell fuel. The company also operates roughly 120 fine jewelry stores. Kroger features a leading private-label offering and manufactures around 30% of its own-brand units (and more than 40% of its grocery own-label assortment) itself, in 33 food production plants nationwide. Kroger is a top-two grocer in most of its major markets (as of early 2021, according to company data). Virtually all of Kroger's sales come from the United States.
Read more on KR →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 →
