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AMGN vs MRK
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Amgen Inc. (AMGN) vs. Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- MRK shows slightly stronger year-to-date (YTD) performance at 5.50% compared to AMGN's 4.65%, amid recent market volatility.
- MRK trades at a lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15.14 versus AMGN's 23.92, suggesting relative value in the pharmaceutical sector.
- Both stocks exhibit low beta values (AMGN at 0.47, MRK at 0.28), indicating stability relative to broader market swings.
- Upcoming Q1 2026 earnings for both companies on April 30 could drive near-term momentum, with analyst focus on pipeline updates.
- MRK boasts a larger market cap of $272B versus AMGN's $183B, reflecting broader scale.
- Dividend yields are comparable, with MRK at 3.08% and AMGN at 2.96%.
Introduction
Amgen Inc. (AMGN) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) are leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical giants, both navigating a dynamic healthcare sector marked by innovation, regulatory scrutiny, and earnings anticipation. This stock comparison analyzes their recent market positioning, performance metrics, and growth drivers, aiding traders seeking short-term opportunities and long-term investors evaluating stability in large-cap biopharma. With both preparing Q1 2026 results, insights into relative strength can inform portfolio decisions amid sector rotation.
AMGN Overview and Recent Performance
Amgen Inc. (AMGN) focuses on biologics for inflammatory diseases, oncology, and rare conditions, with key products like Enbrel, Prolia, and Repatha driving revenue. In recent market activity, the stock has experienced volatility, trading around $340 with a 52-week range of $261-$391. YTD gains stand at 4.65%, supported by pipeline advancements and AI-focused leadership changes, though sentiment has softened due to proposed FDA withdrawal of Tavneos and occasional underperformance against the S&P 500. High debt-to-equity (640%) reflects acquisition strategy, influencing risk perception, while upcoming Q1 earnings on April 30 heighten focus on EPS estimates.
MRK Overview and Recent Performance
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is a global leader in oncology, vaccines, and animal health, powered by blockbusters like Keytruda and Gardasil. Shares hover near $110, within a 52-week span of $73-$125, with YTD returns of 5.50% and one-year gains of 38%. Recent weeks saw dips amid broader medical sector pressures, yet resilience from strong free cash flow ($11.89B TTM) and pipeline momentum, including cardiovascular awareness campaigns, bolsters outlook. Q1 earnings on April 30 loom large, with projections testing growth amid patent dynamics.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both AMGN and MRK operate in pharmaceuticals, but MRK's diversified portfolio (oncology, vaccines) contrasts AMGN's biologics emphasis, exposing MRK to broader growth via Keytruda while AMGN faces biosimilar risks on Enbrel. Momentum favors MRK's superior one-year returns (38% vs. 25%), though AMGN offers higher ROE (106%). Risk profiles differ with MRK's lower leverage (debt/equity 96% vs. 640%) and beta, appealing to conservative investors. Sector exposure aligns in healthcare, but MRK's larger scale ($272B cap) supports stability. Sentiment tilts toward MRK on valuation (lower P/E) amid recent dips, while AMGN contends with regulatory hurdles.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently leans toward MRK for its trend consistency, lower valuation multiples, robust cash generation, and relative YTD outperformance in a volatile market. Factors like upcoming catalysts and scale position MRK favorably probabilistically, though AMGN remains competitive on dividend reliability and pipeline depth.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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 StrongBuy and MRK is a StrongBuy.
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 undervalued. 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 3 FA rating(s) are green whileMRK’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- AMGN’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MRK’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AMGN’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
- MRK’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
AMGN (@Pharmaceuticals: Major) experienced а +1.39% price change this week, while MRK (@Pharmaceuticals: Major) price change was -3.17% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Pharmaceuticals: Major industry was +1.81%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +7.81%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.81%.
Reported Earning Dates
AMGN is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
MRK is expected to report earnings on Aug 04, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Pharmaceuticals: Major (+1.81% 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.
| AMGN | MRK | AMGN / MRK | |
| Capitalization | 189B | 284B | 67% |
| EBITDA | 16.7B | 19.4B | 86% |
| Gain YTD | 8.651 | 10.758 | 80% |
| P/E Ratio | 24.39 | 32.37 | 75% |
| Revenue | 37.2B | 65.8B | 57% |
| Total Cash | 12B | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 57.3B | 49.1B | 117% |
AMGN | MRK | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 28 | 9 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 6 Undervalued | 10 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 25 | 51 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 12 | 47 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 48 | 23 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 62 | 5 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 50 |
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 (10) 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 (25) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as MRK (51) 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 (12) in the Biotechnology industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MRK (47) 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 (23) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as AMGN (48) 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 (5) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is somewhat better than the same rating for AMGN (62) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that MRK’s stock grew somewhat faster than AMGN’s over the last 12 months.
| AMGN | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 60% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 48% | 1 day ago 52% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 57% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 58% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 48% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 53% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 56% | 11 days ago 53% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 51% | 1 day ago 51% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 50% | 1 day ago 61% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 63% |
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