Merck & Co., Inc. vs Procter & Gamble Co — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $126.19 (market cap $307.25B), while Procter & Gamble Co trades at $148.12 (market cap $347.26B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. and Procter & Gamble Co are close in size by market cap, and Procter & Gamble Co pays the higher dividend (2.92%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | PG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $307.25B | $347.26B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $129.52 | $167.18 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $138.10 |
Enterprise Value | $350.66B | $372.74B |
Dividend Yield | 2.73% | 2.92% |
Volume | — | 6,423,436 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Merck (MRK) trades at $126.27, down 0.96% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals including a net income margin of 13.59% and ROE of 18.97%. Recent earnings beats and the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals for approximately $6.7 billion highlight strategic growth initiatives. The stock is supported by a consensus analyst price target of $137.30, indicating potential upside from current levels.
The outlook for Merck is positive, driven by robust profitability, strategic acquisitions, and analyst confidence. Key risks include rising debt levels, with debt-to-asset ratio increasing to 36.06% in 2025, and competitive pressures in the oncology space. Investors should weigh strong cash flow generation against execution risks in integrating recent acquisitions.
Procter & Gamble (PG) trades at $148.12, down 1.23% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and key resistance at $150. The company shows steady revenue growth, with 2025 revenue at $84.28 billion and net income of $15.97 billion, alongside consistent quarterly earnings beats. Recent news highlights PG's dividend reliability and strategic partnerships, such as the WNBA deal announced on April 7, 2026.
PG offers a stable investment with a strong dividend history and moderate growth, but faces risks from premium valuations and economic sensitivity. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $161.71 price target, though near-term upside may be limited by high P/E and P/S ratios relative to peers.
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 →The Procter & Gamble Company manufactures and markets consumer products in countries throughout the world. The Company provides products in the laundry and cleaning, paper, beauty care, food and beverage, and health care segments. Procter & Gamble products are sold primarily through mass merchandisers, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores, and neighborhood stores.
Read more on PG →