Marathon Petroleum Corp vs Merck & Co., Inc. — how do they compare? Marathon Petroleum Corp trades at $318.36 (market cap $92.05B), while Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $126.01 (market cap $307.25B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 3.3× Marathon Petroleum Corp's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.73%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MPC | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $92.05B | $307.25B |
Sector | Energy | Health |
52-Week High | $315.31 | $129.52 |
52-Week Low | $158.59 | $77.60 |
Enterprise Value | $124.23B | $350.66B |
Dividend Yield | 1.24% | 2.73% |
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Merck (MRK) trades at $126.27, down 0.96% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals including a net income margin of 13.59% and ROE of 18.97%. Recent earnings beats and the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals for approximately $6.7 billion highlight strategic growth initiatives. The stock is supported by a consensus analyst price target of $137.30, indicating potential upside from current levels.
The outlook for Merck is positive, driven by robust profitability, strategic acquisitions, and analyst confidence. Key risks include rising debt levels, with debt-to-asset ratio increasing to 36.06% in 2025, and competitive pressures in the oncology space. Investors should weigh strong cash flow generation against execution risks in integrating recent acquisitions.
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Marathon Petroleum is an independent refiner with 13 refineries in the midcontinent, West Coast, and Gulf Coast of the United States with total throughput capacity of 2.9 million barrels per day. Its Dickinson, ND, facility produces 184 million gallons a year of renewable diesel. Its Martinez, CA, facility will have the ability to produce 730 million gallons a year of renewable diesel once converted. The firm also owns and operates midstream assets primarily through its listed MLP, MPLX.
Read more on MPC →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 →