Merck & Co., Inc. vs Vistra Corp — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $145.6 (market cap $351.28B), while Vistra Corp trades at $161.48 (market cap $52.41B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 6.7× Vistra Corp's market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.39%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Merck & Co., Inc. for 98 Days and Vistra Corp for 32 Days on average.
| MRK | VST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $351.28B | $52.41B |
Volume | 7,969,665 | 11,278,074 |
Sector | Health | Utilities |
52-Week High | $156.43 | $210.85 |
52-Week Low | $82.49 | $134.71 |
Typical Hold Time | 98 Days | 32 Days |
Enterprise Value | $398.04B | $74.34B |
Dividend Yield | 2.39% | 0.59% |
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 and key support at $140. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 EPS expected at $2.14. Revenue grew to $65.01B in 2025, and net income reached $18.25B, though the P/E ratio is elevated at 113.9. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline.
The outlook for MRK is mixed, with solid fundamentals and analyst optimism countered by high valuation and bearish technicals. The consensus price target of $158.78 suggests upside potential, but investors face risks from competitive pressures and integration challenges from recent M&A activity. Earnings growth and pipeline developments remain key catalysts.
Vistra Corp. (VST) trades at $156.14, down 6.35% over 24 hours amid mixed earnings history, with a Q1 2026 beat but Q4 2025 and Q2 2026 misses. Technical indicators show a bullish trend with support at $152 and resistance at $164, while fundamentals highlight strong profitability with an 11.55% net income margin and 75.73% ROE. Recent developments include a $4.2 billion US loan for nuclear power expansion and a 20-year power deal with New Era Energy, positioning VST to capitalize on AI-driven electricity demand.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $215.23 (38% upside), supported by analyst bullishness (91.3% buy ratings) and institutional interest. Key risks include execution on nuclear projects, debt levels, and volatile earnings. The stock offers exposure to the AI power scarcity theme, but investors should monitor Q3 2026 results on November 6 for confirmation of growth trends.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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 →Vistra is a leading integrated retail electricity and power generation company that serves as a critical infrastructure provider for the digital economy. It operates a diversified portfolio of zero-carbon nuclear and renewable assets alongside a massive, flexible natural gas fleet, positioning it as an indispensable partner for energy-intensive AI data centers and industrial electrification.
Read more on VST →