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 $130.41 (market cap $323.00B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $257.2 (market cap $22.70B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 14.2× Packaging Corporation of America's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.6%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | PKG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $323.00B | $22.70B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $131.84 | $256.04 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $191.68 |
Enterprise Value | $369.77B | $26.51B |
Dividend Yield | 2.6% | 2.36% |
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 $130.45, up 1.46% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong institutional buying interest. The company reported revenue of $65.01B in 2025 with a net income margin of 28.07%, though the P/E ratio of 104.74 reflects high valuation expectations. Recent acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline, while dividend payments of $0.85 per share provide income stability.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $139.90, implying 7.2% upside, supported by 67.6% analyst buy ratings. Key risks include integration challenges from acquisitions, patent expirations, and regulatory pressures. Earnings growth and pipeline advancements are critical for sustaining the current premium valuation.
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $256.04, up 1.3% on the day, with a bullish technical trend supported by moving averages and strong support at $252. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.35, beating estimates, driven by record corrugated shipments and contributions from the Greif acquisition, though net income margins face pressure from rising costs. A $1.50 dividend for H1-2026 reflects management's confidence, with a consensus price target of $269.33 suggesting modest upside.
Outlook: PKG benefits from robust demand and strategic acquisitions, but cost headwinds and a high P/E of 33.08 pose valuation risks. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 34.6% buy ratings, indicating cautious optimism amid margin compression and economic uncertainties. Key risks include freight and input cost inflation, competitive pricing pressure, and execution of integration synergies.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
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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 →
