Compare Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Merck & Co., Inc. vs PepsiCo, Inc. — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $130.22 (market cap $321.77B), while PepsiCo, Inc. trades at $138.19 (market cap $188.91B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and PepsiCo, Inc. pays the higher dividend (4.28%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | PEP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $321.77B | $188.91B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $131.84 | $170.44 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $134.95 |
Enterprise Value | $368.53B | $231.41B |
Dividend Yield | 2.61% | 4.28% |
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 (MRK) trades at $130.90, up 1.81% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook and strong institutional support. Recent earnings beats in Q4 2025 and Q1-Q2 2026, alongside a 28.07% net income margin in 2025, highlight operational strength. The acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, though a high P/E of 104.74 signals premium valuation. Cash flow remains positive at $1.37B in 2025, but investing outflows have increased.
The stock offers growth potential from pipeline expansion and analyst consensus targeting $140.36, but risks include elevated debt-to-asset ratios (36.06% in 2025) and competitive pressures. Investors should weigh robust profitability against valuation concerns and macroeconomic headwinds affecting the pharma sector.
PepsiCo (PEP) trades at $137.69, down 0.95% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The company maintains strong profitability with 10.78% net margin and 51.59% ROE, though Q3 2026 earnings are pending. Recent news highlights price adjustments on snack products and sponsorship changes, while analysts maintain a consensus Buy rating with $158.79 price target.
PEP offers steady dividend income and operational stability, but faces near-term pressure from consumer resistance to price hikes and competitive threats. The stock trades below consensus target with mixed technical indicators, presenting potential value for long-term investors willing to navigate current volatility and margin pressures.
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 PepsiCo, Inc.
PepsiCo is one of the largest food and beverage companies globally. It makes, markets, and sells a slew of brands across the beverage and snack categories, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Doritos, Lays, and Ruffles. The firm uses a largely integrated go-to-market model, though it does leverage third-party bottlers, contract manufacturers, and distributors in certain markets. In addition to company-owned trademarks, Pepsi manufactures and distributes other brands through partnerships and joint ventures with companies such as Starbucks. The firm segments its operations into five primary geographies, with North America (comprising Frito-Lay North America, Quaker Foods North America, and North America beverages) constituting around 60% of consolidated revenue.
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