Merck & Co., Inc. vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $146.45 (market cap $351.28B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $208.12 (market cap $83.98B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 4.2× Waste Management, Inc.'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 Waste Management, Inc. for 130 Days on average.
| MRK | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $351.28B | $83.98B |
Volume | 7,969,665 | 2,182,180 |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $156.43 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $82.49 | $196.77 |
Typical Hold Time | 98 Days | 130 Days |
Enterprise Value | $398.04B | $106.78B |
Dividend Yield | 2.39% | 1.8% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Merck (MRK) trades at $144.96, up 1.52% today, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with a 72.97% gross margin and 28.07% net income margin for 2025, though its P/E ratio of 113.9 indicates high valuation. Recent news highlights Merck's acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, reflecting strategic growth initiatives amid competitive pressures.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is bullish with a $158.78 price target, but technical indicators and a high P/E suggest near-term caution. Key risks include integration challenges from acquisitions and macroeconomic headwinds affecting pharmaceutical R&D investment. Revenue growth and pipeline execution remain critical for sustained upside.
Waste Management (WM) trades at $207.71, down 0.59% on the day, with a bullish technical signal despite bearish moving averages. The company reported revenue of $25.20 billion in 2025, with net income of $2.71 billion and a net margin of 10.74%. Recent earnings show mixed results, with a miss in Q4 2025 but beats in Q1 and Q2 2026. Analyst consensus is strongly positive with 54.29% buy ratings and no sell recommendations.
WM's outlook remains favorable due to steady revenue growth, strong cash flow, and a resilient business model. Key risks include elevated debt levels and competitive pressures. The stock offers a reliable dividend, with the next payment of $0.95 scheduled for September 25, 2026. Investors should weigh solid fundamentals against debt concerns for long-term holdings.
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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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →