Compare Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Merck & Co., Inc. vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $145.6 (market cap $351.28B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $570.37 (market cap $24.12B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 14.6× Ulta Beauty Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.39% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Merck & Co., Inc. for 98 Days and Ulta Beauty Inc for 92 Days on average.
| MRK | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $351.28B | $24.12B |
Volume | 7,969,665 | 457,598 |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $156.43 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $82.49 | $450.75 |
Typical Hold Time | 98 Days | 92 Days |
Enterprise Value | $398.04B | $26.43B |
Dividend Yield | 2.39% | — |
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 $142.40, down 0.28% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue grew to $65.01 billion in 2025, and net income reached $18.25 billion. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, with institutional investors increasing stakes.
The outlook for Merck is supported by analyst consensus with a $158.78 price target and 68% buy ratings, but risks include high valuation multiples like a P/E of 113.9 and competitive pressures in the pharma sector. The stock's investment appeal hinges on pipeline execution and integration of acquisitions amid a challenging technical backdrop.
ULTA trades at $564.21, up 3.43% today, with a bullish technical outlook and strong institutional support. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations, and the company raised its 2026 guidance, driven by e-commerce momentum. Valuation metrics show a P/E of 20.55 and P/S of 1.92, while profitability remains robust with a 9.34% net income margin and 46.12% ROE.
The stock offers growth potential with a consensus price target of $624.93, but faces risks from margin pressure and flat store traffic. Execution on raised guidance and expansion into wellness categories are key catalysts, though consumer spending volatility and promotional intensity could limit upside.
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
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 Ulta Beauty Inc
With more than 1,300 stores and a partnership with Target, Ulta Beauty is the largest specialized beauty retailer in the U.S. The firm offers makeup (43% of 2021 sales), fragrances, skin care, and hair care products (20% of 2021 sales), and bath and body items. Ulta offers private-label products and merchandise from more than 500 vendors. It also offers salon services, including hair, makeup, skin, and brow services, in all stores. Most Ulta stores are approximately 10,000 square feet and are in suburban strip centers. Ulta was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Read more on ULTA →
