Compare Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Merck & Co., Inc. vs Palo Alto Networks Inc — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $133 (market cap $321.77B), while Palo Alto Networks Inc trades at $381.9 (market cap $312.80B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. and Palo Alto Networks Inc are close in size by market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.61% dividend while Palo Alto Networks Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | PANW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $321.77B | $312.80B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $131.84 | $385.04 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $141.67 |
Enterprise Value | $368.53B | $311.76B |
Dividend Yield | 2.61% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
Palo Alto Networks (PANW) trades at $384.29, down 0.19% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and strong institutional sentiment. Revenue grew to $9.22B in FY2025, with net income of $1.13B, though valuation ratios like P/E of 333.74 and P/S of 26.64 appear elevated. Recent news highlights AI-driven cybersecurity demand and a China regulatory review, while the company beat EPS estimates in three consecutive quarters.
Outlook remains positive due to robust AI security growth and analyst consensus, but risks include high valuation, integration costs from acquisitions, and geopolitical scrutiny. The stock's proximity to its 52-week high suggests cautious optimism, with upside potential tied to execution on AI initiatives and cybersecurity spending trends.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →About Palo Alto Networks Inc
Palo Alto Networks is a pure-play cybersecurity vendor that sells security appliances, subscriptions, and support into enterprises, government entities, and service providers. The company's product portfolio includes firewall appliances, virtual firewalls, endpoint protection, cloud security, and cybersecurity analytics. The Santa Clara, California, firm was established in 2005 and sells its products worldwide.
Read more on PANW →
