Merck & Co., Inc. vs Moderna, Inc. — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $133.43 (market cap $321.77B), while Moderna, Inc. trades at $63.59 (market cap $24.18B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 13.3× Moderna, Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.61% dividend while Moderna, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | MRNA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $321.77B | $24.18B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $131.84 | $81.80 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $22.36 |
Enterprise Value | $368.53B | $20.33B |
Dividend Yield | 2.61% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Merck & Co. (MRK) trades at $133.64, up 2.09% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong institutional buying interest. The company reported solid earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 EPS expected at $2.27. Revenue for 2025 reached $65.01B, and net income was $18.25B, though the P/E ratio of 104.34 suggests high valuation expectations. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline.
Outlook: MRK's growth is supported by strategic acquisitions and a dominant oncology franchise, but risks include high valuation multiples and competitive pressures. The consensus price target of $140.36 implies modest upside, with 68% of analysts rating it a Buy. Investors should monitor execution on the Terns integration and Q3 earnings results for catalysts.
Moderna (MRNA) trades at $63.57, up 6.29% on the day, reflecting positive momentum following FDA approval of its mRNA flu vaccine, mFLUSIVA, for adults 50 and older. The stock exhibits a bullish technical outlook with moving averages supporting upward movement, though RSI levels suggest potential overbought conditions. Fundamentally, revenue has declined from pandemic peaks, with 2025 revenue at $1.92B and a net loss of -$2.82B, yet the company has beaten EPS estimates in recent quarters. Cash flow trends show improvement, with net cash flow turning positive in 2025 at $668M.
The outlook for MRNA hinges on pipeline execution beyond COVID-19, with recent vaccine approvals providing growth catalysts. Investment opportunities include diversification into flu, Ebola, and oncology therapies, but risks persist from high cash burn, competitive pressures, and reliance on successful clinical trials. Analyst sentiment is mixed with a consensus price target of $54.33, below the current price, indicating caution despite some bullish developments.
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Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Moderna, Inc. operates as a clinical stage biotechnology company. The Company focuses on the discovery and development of messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines. Moderna develops mRNA medicines for infectious, immuno-oncology, and cardiovascular diseases.
Read more on MRNA →