Merck & Co., Inc. vs Viasat — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $148.1 (market cap $366.28B), while Viasat trades at $72.01 (market cap $10.71B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 34.2× Viasat's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.29% dividend while Viasat pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | VSAT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $366.28B | $10.71B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $156.43 | $89.81 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $28.41 |
Enterprise Value | $413.04B | $15.90B |
Dividend Yield | 2.29% | — |
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.
VSAT trades at $77.75, up 3.23% today, with a neutral technical signal. The company reported mixed Q2 2026 earnings, missing EPS estimates, but Q1 and Q4 2025 beat expectations. Revenue for 2025 was $4.52B with a net loss of $574.96M, though 2026 projections show improved profitability. Analyst consensus is balanced with 40% buy and 40% hold ratings. Recent news highlights the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite entering service in Asia-Pacific and new government contracts, signaling growth potential in satellite communications.
The outlook for VSAT is cautiously optimistic, driven by satellite deployment and government deals, but execution risks and competition from players like Starlink pose challenges. Investors should weigh the potential for revenue growth and margin improvement against high debt levels and ongoing losses. Near-term price action may hinge on Q3 2026 earnings and ViaSat-3 commercialization progress.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Viasat provides satellite communications and connectivity services for aviation, maritime, government, enterprise, and consumer markets. Its network combines satellite and ground infrastructure to deliver connectivity in remote and mobile environments.
Read more on VSAT →