Merck & Co., Inc. vs Nike Inc — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $132.93 (market cap $321.77B), while Nike Inc trades at $40.65 (market cap $61.30B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 5.2× Nike Inc's market cap, and Nike Inc pays the higher dividend (3.97%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | NKE | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $321.77B | $61.30B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $131.84 | $79.17 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $40.75 |
Enterprise Value | $368.53B | $63.30B |
Dividend Yield | 2.61% | 3.97% |
Volume | — | 8,887,180 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Merck (MRK) trades at $130.45, down 0.34% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue reached $65.01B in 2025, and net income margin improved to 28.07%. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives amid a competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
The outlook for MRK is positive, supported by analyst consensus favoring a buy rating (67.57%) and a price target of $140.36. Key opportunities include pipeline expansion through M&A and solid cash flow generation. Risks involve high valuation multiples, such as a P/E of 104.34, and potential integration challenges from acquisitions. Investors should weigh growth prospects against elevated earnings expectations and market volatility.
Nike (NKE) trades at $42.11, up 0.98% on the day, showing resilience amid a challenging period. The stock faces bearish technical signals but maintains strong profitability metrics including 42.91% gross margin and 22.14% ROE. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, with Q1 2026 EPS of $0.72 significantly exceeding the $0.11 forecast. However, revenue declined to $46.31B in 2025 from $51.4B in 2024, reflecting ongoing business headwinds.
Nike's investment case balances strong brand value and consistent earnings beats against revenue pressures and competitive challenges. The consensus price target of $50.45 suggests 20% upside potential, though technical indicators remain bearish. Key risks include China market weakness and inventory management issues, while opportunities lie in digital transformation and product innovation driving future growth.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →NIKE, Inc. designs, develops, and markets athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products for men, women, and children. The Company sells its products worldwide to retail stores, through its own stores, subsidiaries, and distributors.
Read more on NKE →