Merck & Co., Inc. vs Upstart Holdings Inc — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $129.77 (market cap $321.77B), while Upstart Holdings Inc trades at $30.2 (market cap $2.91B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 110.6× Upstart Holdings Inc's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.61% dividend while Upstart Holdings Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | UPST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $321.77B | $2.91B |
Sector | Health | Financials |
52-Week High | $131.84 | $73.76 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $24.22 |
Enterprise Value | $368.53B | — |
Dividend Yield | 2.61% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Merck (MRK) trades at $130.9, up 1.81% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $140.36. Recent earnings beats and a 72.97% gross margin highlight strong profitability, while the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals aims to bolster its oncology pipeline. The stock faces headwinds from a high P/E ratio of 104.34 and fluctuating cash flows.
The outlook is positive with robust fundamentals and strategic M&A, but valuation concerns and competitive pressures in pharma pose risks. Upside is likely if earnings growth continues, though investors should monitor debt levels and integration of acquisitions.
Upstart Holdings trades at $30.21, down 2.83% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages despite recent earnings misses. The company achieved a significant turnaround with $53.6M net income in 2025 after years of losses, driven by 42% revenue growth in Q2 2026. Analyst consensus remains positive with a $47.20 price target, though debt levels have risen to 61.48% of assets.
The outlook balances strong AI-driven loan growth against execution risks and high valuation. Near-term catalysts include the upcoming bank launch and sustained origination growth, while macroeconomic sensitivity and competitive pressures present ongoing challenges for the lending platform.
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 →Upstart Holdings Inc provides credit services. The company provides a proprietary, cloud-based, artificial intelligence lending platform. The platform aggregates consumer demand for loans and connects it to the network of Upstart AI-enabled bank partners. The revenue of the company is primarily comprised of fees paid by banks.
Read more on UPST →