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 $148.1 (market cap $366.28B), while PepsiCo, Inc. trades at $137.28 (market cap $188.97B). 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 | $366.28B | $188.97B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $156.43 | $170.44 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $134.95 |
Enterprise Value | $413.04B | $231.47B |
Dividend Yield | 2.29% | 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 $148.49, down 1.23% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $156.71. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending, and maintains a robust gross profit margin of 72.97%. 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, driven by earnings momentum and strategic acquisitions, but risks include high valuation multiples like a P/E of 118.77 and regulatory pressures. Investors should weigh the company's solid cash flow and analyst support against potential market volatility and integration challenges from recent M&A activity.
PepsiCo (PEP) trades at $138.45, up 0.6% with bearish technical signals but strong fundamentals. The company reported consistent earnings beats in recent quarters with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue grew to $93.93B in 2025, though net income declined to $8.24B. Analysts maintain a consensus price target of $158.79 with 33% buy ratings. Recent news highlights price adjustments on snack products and sponsorship changes.
PEP offers stable dividend income and moderate growth potential, but faces margin pressure from input costs and competitive pricing. The stock trades below analyst targets with solid cash flow generation, though technical indicators suggest near-term weakness. Key risks include consumer sensitivity to price increases and execution challenges in North American markets.
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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