Merck & Co., Inc. vs Walmart Stores Inc — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $126.01 (market cap $307.25B), while Walmart Stores Inc trades at $110.09 (market cap $892.90B). The key difference: Walmart Stores Inc is far larger — about 2.9× Merck & Co., Inc.'s market cap, and Merck & Co., Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.73%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | WMT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $307.25B | $892.90B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $129.52 | $134.20 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $95.67 |
Enterprise Value | $350.66B | $956.35B |
Dividend Yield | 2.73% | 0.88% |
Volume | — | 5,675,288 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Merck (MRK) trades at $126.27, down 0.96% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals including a net income margin of 13.59% and ROE of 18.97%. Recent earnings beats and the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals for approximately $6.7 billion highlight strategic growth initiatives. The stock is supported by a consensus analyst price target of $137.30, indicating potential upside from current levels.
The outlook for Merck is positive, driven by robust profitability, strategic acquisitions, and analyst confidence. Key risks include rising debt levels, with debt-to-asset ratio increasing to 36.06% in 2025, and competitive pressures in the oncology space. Investors should weigh strong cash flow generation against execution risks in integrating recent acquisitions.
Walmart (WMT) trades at $114.24, down 0.62% today, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals including consistent earnings beats and robust cash flow. Revenue reached $681.0B in 2025 (source: company filings, 2025), with net income margin improving to 3.13%. Recent news highlights AI innovation and delivery expansion, while analyst consensus remains bullish with a $142.10 price target.
The outlook is positive due to earnings momentum and strategic investments, but risks include competitive pressure from Amazon and margin volatility. Wall Street's strong buy rating (72.72% of analysts) supports upside potential, though investors should monitor execution against guidance.
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 →Walmart Inc. operates discount stores, supercenters, and neighborhood markets. The Company offers merchandise such as apparel, house wares, small appliances, electronics, musical instruments, books, home improvement, shoes, jewelry, toddler, games, household essentials, pets, pharmaceutical products, party supplies, and automotive tools. Walmart serves customers worldwide.
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