Compare McDonald's Corp (MCD) vs Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
McDonald's Corp vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? McDonald's Corp trades at $235.6 (market cap $167.64B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $145.76 (market cap $351.28B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 2.1× McDonald's Corp's market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays the higher dividend (3.26%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold McDonald's Corp for 164 Days and Merck & Co., Inc. for 98 Days on average.
| MCD | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $167.64B | $351.28B |
Volume | 11,320,306 | 7,969,665 |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Health |
52-Week High | $341.06 | $156.43 |
52-Week Low | $230.88 | $82.49 |
Typical Hold Time | 164 Days | 98 Days |
Enterprise Value | $221.41B | $398.04B |
Dividend Yield | 3.26% | 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
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $230.88, down 0.68% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company shows steady revenue growth, reaching $26.89B in 2025, and has consistently beaten EPS estimates in recent quarters. Recent news highlights a new global growth strategy, 'McDonald's NEXT', focusing on automation and improved customer experience to counter competitive pressures and attract diners.
The outlook is mixed: strong fundamentals and a 58.7% analyst buy rating support upside to the $284.70 consensus target, but technical weakness and inflation-driven cost pressures pose near-term risks. The stock offers value through its dividend and defensive profile, yet investors must weigh execution risks of the new strategy against its long-term growth potential.
Merck (MRK) trades at $144.96, up 1.52% today, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with a 72.97% gross margin and 28.07% net income margin for 2025, though its P/E ratio of 113.9 indicates high valuation. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives amid competitive pressures.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is bullish with a $158.78 price target, but technical indicators and a high P/E suggest near-term caution. Key risks include integration challenges from acquisitions and macroeconomic headwinds affecting pharmaceutical R&D investment. Revenue growth and pipeline execution remain critical for sustained upside.
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 McDonald's Corp
McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →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 →
