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AMGN vs MRK
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Amgen (AMGN) vs. Merck (MRK) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Amgen (AMGN) delivered strong second-quarter results with revenue growth and raised full-year guidance, yet shares faced a sharp recent pullback linked to pipeline spillover concerns in cardiovascular assets.
- Merck (MRK) reported solid quarterly performance and achieved positive Phase 3 data for its personalized mRNA cancer therapy in melanoma, driving notable share price appreciation and new highs.
- Recent market activity shows divergent momentum: Amgen (AMGN) experienced a multi-day decline amid sector-specific news, while Merck (MRK) benefited from clinical catalysts and sustained investor interest.
- Both companies operate in the healthcare sector with exposure to oncology and innovative therapies, though Merck (MRK) maintains a larger scale in pharmaceuticals and Amgen (AMGN) emphasizes biotechnology portfolio breadth.
- Valuation and growth profiles reflect trade-offs, with Amgen (AMGN) highlighting higher recent revenue expansion rates and Merck (MRK) demonstrating resilience through pipeline advancements.
- Sector sentiment remains influenced by clinical trial outcomes and competitive dynamics in key therapeutic areas.
Introduction
Amgen (AMGN) and Merck (MRK) represent prominent players in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, respectively, making them relevant for comparison among investors and traders focused on healthcare sector dynamics. This analysis examines their recent performance, business drivers, and relative positioning in the current market environment. Market participants seeking to understand differences in momentum, pipeline progress, and risk factors may find this side-by-side review useful for portfolio construction or tactical allocation decisions within the broader health care space.
AMGN Overview and Recent Performance
Amgen (AMGN) develops and commercializes therapies across oncology, cardiovascular disease, bone health, and immunology. In recent weeks, the company reported second-quarter results that exceeded expectations, with revenue rising approximately 9.5% year over year and non-GAAP earnings per share surpassing consensus estimates. Management raised full-year 2026 guidance, citing strength across multiple growth drivers. Shares advanced toward 52-week highs in August amid this momentum. More recently, however, the stock experienced a five-day decline of about 15%, influenced by external clinical trial results in the Lp(a) cardiovascular area that raised questions about a competing asset. Year-to-date performance remains positive, though the latest activity highlights sensitivity to pipeline developments.
MRK Overview and Recent Performance
Merck (MRK) focuses on oncology, vaccines, and animal health, with Keytruda as its flagship product. Recent quarters featured revenue growth driven by oncology and new launches, alongside a raised 2026 sales outlook. A key development occurred in August when positive Phase 3 results for intismeran autogene, an individualized mRNA therapy combined with Keytruda in high-risk melanoma, led to a significant share price increase and record highs. Additional pipeline progress in areas such as pulmonary arterial hypertension supported sentiment. Shares have shown strong year-to-date gains relative to broader market benchmarks, reflecting sustained interest in the company's clinical advancements and commercial execution.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Amgen (AMGN) and Merck (MRK) differ in scale and focus, with Amgen (AMGN) operating as a biotechnology company emphasizing a diversified portfolio of innovative medicines and Merck (MRK) functioning as a large pharmaceutical entity anchored by Keytruda. Growth drivers for Amgen (AMGN) include multiple double-digit performers in areas such as cholesterol and bone health, offset by biosimilar pressures, while Merck (MRK) benefits from oncology expansion and vaccine contributions. Recent momentum favored Merck (MRK) following clinical successes, contrasting with Amgen (AMGN)'s short-term pullback tied to external trial news. Risk factors include patent expirations and trial outcomes for both, with Merck (MRK) carrying greater exposure to a single product franchise and Amgen (AMGN) facing competition in established lines. Market sentiment has reflected these contrasts through relative price movements in recent market activity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, recent catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probabilistic preference to Merck (MRK). The stock has demonstrated stronger recent momentum supported by positive clinical readouts and guidance updates, alongside more stable upward trajectory compared with Amgen (AMGN)’s recent volatility. This assessment draws from verifiable performance differentials and pipeline developments rather than forward projections.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AMGN is a Hold and MRK is a Hold.
| AMGN | MRK | AMGN / MRK | |
| Capitalization | 208B | 362B | 57% |
| EBITDA | 17.6B | 14.4B | 122% |
| Gain YTD | 20.235 | 42.411 | 48% |
| P/E Ratio | 23.95 | 117.50 | 20% |
| Revenue | 38.1B | 66.6B | 57% |
| Total Cash | 14B | 7.14B | 196% |
| Total Debt | 57.3B | 53.9B | 106% |
AMGN | MRK | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 78 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 6 Undervalued | 12 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 12 | 32 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 15 | 79 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 46 | 38 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 32 | 2 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
AMGN's Valuation (6) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as MRK (12) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry. This means that AMGN’s stock grew similarly to MRK’s over the last 12 months.
AMGN's Profit vs Risk Rating (12) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as MRK (32) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry. This means that AMGN’s stock grew similarly to MRK’s over the last 12 months.
AMGN's SMR Rating (15) in the Biotechnology industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MRK (79) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry. This means that AMGN’s stock grew somewhat faster than MRK’s over the last 12 months.
MRK's Price Growth Rating (38) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as AMGN (46) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that MRK’s stock grew similarly to AMGN’s over the last 12 months.
MRK's P/E Growth Rating (2) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as AMGN (32) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that MRK’s stock grew similarly to AMGN’s over the last 12 months.
| AMGN | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | 3 days ago 54% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 3 days ago 70% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 42% | 3 days ago 48% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 40% | 3 days ago 47% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 63% | 3 days ago 58% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 47% | 3 days ago 56% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 62% | 4 days ago 58% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 47% | 10 days ago 51% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 49% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 3 days ago 63% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AMGN’s FA Score shows that 4 FA rating(s) are green while MRK’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- AMGN’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 red.
- MRK’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AMGN’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MRK’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AMGN’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- MRK’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
AMGN (@Pharmaceuticals: Major) experienced а +2.20% price change this week, while MRK (@Pharmaceuticals: Major) price change was +2.64% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Pharmaceuticals: Major industry was +1.82%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -6.21%, and the average quarterly price growth was +15.37%.
Reported Earning Dates
AMGN is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
MRK is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Pharmaceuticals: Major (+1.82% weekly)The Major Pharmaceuticals industry includes companies that are involved in various processes of creating drugs to treat/prevent diseases. These companies engage in research, testing and manufacturing, as well as the distribution of pharmaceuticals into markets. Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Inc., Pfizer Inc. and Novartis are among the largest companies in this category.
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MRK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MRK has been loosely correlated with GSK. These tickers have moved in lockstep 53% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if MRK jumps, then GSK could also see price increases.