Compare Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Merck & Co., Inc. vs Packaging Corporation of America — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $144.98 (market cap $351.28B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $229.05 (market cap $20.49B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 17.1× Packaging Corporation of America's market cap, and Packaging Corporation of America pays the higher dividend (2.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Merck & Co., Inc. for 98 Days and Packaging Corporation of America for 45 Days on average.
| MRK | PKG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $351.28B | $20.49B |
Volume | 7,969,665 | 493,499 |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $156.43 | $257.43 |
52-Week Low | $82.49 | $191.68 |
Typical Hold Time | 98 Days | 45 Days |
Enterprise Value | $398.04B | $24.30B |
Dividend Yield | 2.39% | 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 (MRK) trades at $142.79, up 0.61% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite beating earnings estimates in recent quarters. The company reported 2025 revenue of $65.01B and net income of $18.25B, with a high P/E ratio of 113.9 reflecting premium valuation. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, while institutional investors have been increasing stakes.
The outlook is mixed: strong analyst consensus (68% buy ratings) and a $158.78 price target suggest upside, but high valuation and bearish technicals pose near-term risks. Key opportunities include pipeline expansion via M&A; risks involve integration challenges and patent pressures.
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $229.06, up 0.8% on the day, amid a bearish technical signal and mixed earnings performance. The stock shows strong profitability with a 7.26% net income margin and 14.79% ROE, though 2026 profit margins are projected to decline. Recent news highlights institutional buying and a steady dividend, while analyst consensus is a $272.43 price target with a 'Hold' bias.
PKG offers value through its dividend and stable business model but faces headwinds from cost pressures and negative cash flow trends. The stock's near-term performance hinges on Q3 2026 earnings results, with risks including margin compression and economic sensitivity. Upside exists if the company beats expectations and manages costs effectively.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
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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 Packaging Corporation of America
Packaging Corporation of America is a leading producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in North America. The company also produces white papers, which include printing and writing papers. PKG operates as an integrated manufacturer, with a strong focus on high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce, food and beverage, and other industrial and consumer markets.
Read more on PKG →
