Compare Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Lam Research Corporation vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Lam Research Corporation trades at $319 (market cap $401.19B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $146.05 (market cap $351.28B). The key difference: Lam Research Corporation and Merck & Co., Inc. are close in size by market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.39%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Lam Research Corporation for 60 Days and Merck & Co., Inc. for 98 Days on average.
| LRCX | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $401.19B | $351.28B |
Volume | 8,960,892 | 7,969,665 |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $433.33 | $156.43 |
52-Week Low | $131.37 | $82.49 |
Typical Hold Time | 60 Days | 98 Days |
Enterprise Value | $399.35B | $398.04B |
Dividend Yield | 0.41% | 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
Lam Research (LRCX) trades at $318.84, down 3.24% on the day, with strong fundamentals including 29.06% net margin and consistent earnings beats. Technical indicators show a bearish short-term signal despite bullish moving averages, with key support at $314 and resistance at $329. Recent news highlights LRCX's positioning in AI-driven semiconductor equipment demand, with revenue growth accelerating to $18.44B in 2025.
Outlook remains positive with 78% analyst buy ratings and $375.68 consensus price target, representing 18% upside. Key risks include semiconductor cycle volatility and execution challenges in maintaining mid-40% operating margins. The stock offers growth exposure to AI infrastructure spending but faces competitive pressures in chip equipment markets.
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 Lam Research Corporation
Lam Research manufactures equipment used to fabricate semiconductors. The firm is focused on the etching, deposition, and clean markets, which are key steps in the semiconductor manufacturing process, especially for 3D NAND flash storage, advanced DRAM, and leading-edge logic/foundry chipmakers. Lam's flagship Kiyo, Vector, and Sabre products are sold in all major geographies to key customers such as Samsung Electronics, Micron, Intel, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Read more on LRCX →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 →
