Compare Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Merck & Co., Inc. vs UnitedHealth Group Inc — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $148.11 (market cap $366.28B), while UnitedHealth Group Inc trades at $394.25 (market cap $359.79B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. and UnitedHealth Group Inc are close in size by market cap, and UnitedHealth Group Inc pays the higher dividend (2.32%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | UNH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $366.28B | $359.79B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $156.43 | $436.35 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $259.02 |
Enterprise Value | $413.04B | $401.65B |
Dividend Yield | 2.29% | 2.32% |
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.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) trades at $393.06, down 1.03% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. The company reported revenue of $447.57B in 2025, with net income of $12.06B, and has beaten EPS estimates in recent quarters. Recent news highlights strategic moves to reduce pediatric prior authorizations and ongoing shareholder returns via dividends and buybacks.
The outlook for UNH is positive, driven by aging demographics, Medicare growth, and operational efficiencies, though risks include regulatory scrutiny and margin pressures. With 82.7% of analysts rating it a buy and a consensus price target of $475.47, the stock presents a compelling opportunity for long-term investors seeking exposure to healthcare stability and dividend growth.
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 UnitedHealth Group Inc
UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest private health insurers, providing medical benefits to 50 million members globally, including 5 million outside the U.S. at the end of 2021. As a leader in employer-sponsored, self-directed, and government-backed insurance plans, UnitedHealth has obtained massive scale in managed care. Along with its insurance assets, UnitedHealth's continued investments in its Optum franchises have created a healthcare services colossus that spans everything from medical and pharmaceutical benefits to providing outpatient care and analytics to both affiliated and third-party customers.
Read more on UNH →
