Compare Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) vs Yum China Holdings Inc (YUMC) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Merck & Co., Inc. vs Yum China Holdings Inc — how do they compare? Merck & Co., Inc. trades at $148.15 (market cap $366.28B), while Yum China Holdings Inc trades at $42.34 (market cap $14.74B). The key difference: Merck & Co., Inc. is far larger — about 24.8× Yum China Holdings Inc's market cap, and Yum China Holdings Inc pays the higher dividend (2.68%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MRK | YUMC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $366.28B | $14.74B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $156.43 | $57.95 |
52-Week Low | $77.60 | $40.18 |
Enterprise Value | $413.04B | $15.65B |
Dividend Yield | 2.29% | 2.68% |
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 (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.
YUMC trades at $43.34, down 0.6% today, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The company shows steady revenue growth, reaching $11.8B in 2025, with a net income margin of 7.84%. Recent developments include the acquisition of Pizza Hut brand ownership in Mainland China and expansion of Pizza Hut Burger Bars to 300 locations.
The outlook is positive with strong analyst support—14 buy ratings and a projected 25.6% upside. Risks include competitive pressures and market volatility, but solid fundamentals and growth initiatives provide a compelling case for long-term investors.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 Yum China Holdings Inc
With almost 10,600 units and USD 9.5 billion in systemwide sales in 2020, Yum China is the largest restaurant chain in China. It generates revenue through its own restaurants and franchise fees. Key concepts include KFC (7,166 units) and Pizza Hut (2,355), but the company's portfolio also includes other brands such as Little Sheep, East Dawning, Taco Bell, Huang Ji Huang, COFFii & Joy, and Lavazza (collectively representing about 985 units). Yum China is a trademark licensee of Yum Brands, paying 3% of total systemwide sales to the company it separated from in October 2016.
Read more on YUMC →
