Compare Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF (VUG) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Merck & Co., Inc. vs Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $133.65 (market cap $321.77B), while Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF trades at $88.97. The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. pays a 2.61% dividend while Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | VUG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $321.77B | — |
Sector | Health | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $131.84 | $90.29 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $70.00 |
Enterprise Value | $368.53B | — |
Dividend Yield | 2.61% | — |
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 & Co. (MRK) trades at $133.64, up 2.09% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong institutional buying interest. The company reported solid earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q3 2026 EPS expected at $2.27. Revenue for 2025 reached $65.01B, and net income was $18.25B, though the P/E ratio of 104.34 suggests high valuation expectations. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline.
Outlook: MRK's growth is supported by strategic acquisitions and a dominant oncology franchise, but risks include high valuation multiples and competitive pressures. The consensus price target of $140.36 implies modest upside, with 68% of analysts rating it a Buy. Investors should monitor execution on the Terns integration and Q3 earnings results for catalysts.
VUG trades at $88.94, down 0.27% on the day, with a bullish technical signal driven by moving averages. The ETF shows strong institutional accumulation, with multiple firms increasing holdings by over 500% in Q2 2026. RSI levels above 70 indicate potential overbought conditions, while support sits near $88 and resistance at $90.
The outlook remains positive given institutional confidence and growth ETF appeal, but high RSI suggests near-term consolidation risk. Investors face volatility from market sentiment shifts, though long-term growth exposure aligns with historical outperformance versus the S&P 500.
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 Vanguard Growth Index Fund ETF
VUG is an index-based ETF that tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, providing concentrated exposure to the largest and fastest-growing companies in the United States. It focuses on stocks with high growth potential across tech, communication, and consumer sectors, serving as a low-cost, high-conviction core holding for long-term capital appreciation.
Read more on VUG →
