Merck & Co., Inc. vs VF Corp — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $131.81 (market cap $321.77B), while VF Corp trades at $14.59 (market cap $5.81B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 55.4× VF Corp's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | VFC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $321.77B | $5.81B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $131.84 | $21.55 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $12.21 |
Enterprise Value | $368.53B | $10.09B |
Dividend Yield | 2.61% | 2.44% |
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.
VFC trades at $14.90, down 0.6% on the day, near the low end of analyst targets. Technical indicators are bearish, with mixed recent earnings showing a Q4 beat but Q1 and Q2 misses. Revenue has declined from $11.8B in 2022 to $9.5B in 2025, with net losses in 2024 and 2025, though 2026 projects a return to profitability. The company faces brand-specific headwinds, particularly with Vans, while maintaining a reasonable P/S ratio of 0.62.
The outlook is cautious. Deleveraging progress and a raised 2027 revenue outlook offer some optimism, but persistent Vans weakness and macro pressures pose significant risks. Analyst consensus is Hold, with a $17.44 price target suggesting limited upside from current levels amid ongoing operational challenges.
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 →VF designs, produces, and distributes branded apparel and accessories. Its largest apparel categories include action sports, outdoor, and workwear. Its portfolio of about a dozen brands includes Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Supreme, and Dickies. VF markets its products in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific through wholesale sales to retailers, e-commerce, and branded stores owned by the company and partners. The company has grown through multiple acquisitions and traces its roots to 1899.
Read more on VFC →