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BMY vs MRK
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Merck & Co. (MRK) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- BMY delivered a strong Q2 2026 earnings beat with revenue of $12.97 billion and raised full-year guidance, driving recent outperformance.
- MRK trades at a higher valuation multiple and shows robust 1-year returns supported by pipeline advancements and upcoming earnings.
- Both companies operate in the pharmaceutical sector with significant exposure to oncology and cardiovascular therapies, yet differ in near-term catalysts and growth profiles.
- Recent market activity highlights BMY’s momentum from earnings revisions, while MRK benefits from multiple analyst target increases and drug approvals.
- Relative performance over the past year favors MRK in total return, though BMY has shown stronger recent weekly gains tied to guidance upgrades.
- Sector sentiment remains constructive for both, with focus on pipeline execution amid patent considerations and competitive dynamics.
Introduction
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Merck & Co. (MRK) represent two leading pharmaceutical companies whose stocks attract attention from institutional investors, active traders, and long-term portfolio managers. This comparison examines their business models, recent performance trends, and market positioning in the current environment. Traders monitoring sector rotation within healthcare and investors evaluating relative value in large-cap biopharma may find the analysis useful for assessing diversification opportunities and risk-adjusted exposure.
BMY Overview and Recent Performance
Bristol-Myers Squibb develops and commercializes medicines in oncology, hematology, immunology, and cardiovascular disease. Its portfolio includes established products such as Eliquis and newer launches in neuroscience. In recent weeks, the stock has exhibited positive momentum following the release of second-quarter 2026 results. Revenue reached $12.97 billion, reflecting year-over-year growth and exceeding analyst expectations, while adjusted earnings per share surpassed consensus by a notable margin. Management responded by raising full-year revenue and earnings guidance, which contributed to improved sentiment. Year-to-date returns stand near 25 percent, with the share price closing at approximately $65.31 on July 31, 2026.
MRK Overview and Recent Performance
Merck & Co. focuses on oncology, vaccines, and infectious diseases, anchored by Keytruda and supported by a broad pipeline. The company maintains a dividend yield above 2.5 percent and has delivered year-to-date returns near 25.5 percent, with the stock closing at $130.20 on July 31, 2026. Recent market activity reflects steady interest driven by pipeline updates, including regulatory progress in cardiovascular and HIV areas, along with multiple analyst price-target revisions. With second-quarter 2026 earnings scheduled for early August, attention centers on sales momentum and forward guidance. One-year returns exceed 72 percent, underscoring sustained investor interest amid sector tailwinds.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both companies generate revenue primarily through patented pharmaceuticals, exposing them to similar regulatory and competitive risks, yet BMY carries notable exposure to Eliquis patent dynamics while MRK benefits from Keytruda’s broader oncology leadership. Growth drivers differ: BMY recently highlighted multiple new-product contributions in its earnings beat, whereas MRK emphasizes ongoing pipeline readouts and label expansions. Recent momentum favors BMY following its guidance increase, while MRK displays stronger longer-term total returns and a higher price-to-earnings ratio. Risk factors include clinical-trial outcomes and generic competition for both; sector sentiment appears balanced, with analysts issuing constructive notes amid macroeconomic stability in healthcare spending.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent earnings consistency, guidance revisions, and relative price stability, Tickeron’s AI models indicate a modest probabilistic preference toward BMY in the near term due to the strength of its second-quarter results and updated outlook. MRK retains appeal through pipeline breadth and longer-term return profile. Outcomes remain contingent on upcoming data releases and broader market conditions.
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 BMY is a Buy and MRK is a Buy.
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).
BMY’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileMRK’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- BMY’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- MRK’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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.
BMY’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MRK’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- BMY’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
- MRK’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
BMY (@Pharmaceuticals: Major) experienced а -1.38% price change this week, while MRK (@Pharmaceuticals: Major) price change was +5.65% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Pharmaceuticals: Major industry was -0.23%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.30%, and the average quarterly price growth was +2.34%.
Reported Earning Dates
BMY is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
MRK is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Pharmaceuticals: Major (-0.23% 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.
| BMY | MRK | BMY / MRK | |
| Capitalization | 130B | 335B | 39% |
| EBITDA | 16.8B | 19.4B | 87% |
| Gain YTD | 22.334 | 30.943 | 72% |
| P/E Ratio | 14.06 | 108.67 | 13% |
| Revenue | 49.2B | 65.8B | 75% |
| Total Cash | 11.1B | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 45.1B | 49.1B | 92% |
BMY | MRK | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 48 | 45 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 3 Undervalued | 61 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 81 | 40 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 22 | 47 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 21 | 9 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 80 | 2 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 65 |
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.
BMY's Valuation (3) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MRK (61). This means that BMY’s stock grew somewhat faster than MRK’s over the last 12 months.
MRK's Profit vs Risk Rating (40) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is somewhat better than the same rating for BMY (81). This means that MRK’s stock grew somewhat faster than BMY’s over the last 12 months.
BMY's SMR Rating (22) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as MRK (47). This means that BMY’s stock grew similarly to MRK’s over the last 12 months.
MRK's Price Growth Rating (9) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is in the same range as BMY (21). This means that MRK’s stock grew similarly to BMY’s over the last 12 months.
MRK's P/E Growth Rating (2) in the Pharmaceuticals Major industry is significantly better than the same rating for BMY (80). This means that MRK’s stock grew significantly faster than BMY’s over the last 12 months.
| BMY | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 56% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 60% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 54% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 57% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 56% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | N/A | 17 days ago 51% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 48% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 63% |
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BMY and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, BMY has been loosely correlated with AMGN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 57% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if BMY jumps, then AMGN could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To BMY | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMY | 100% | -1.27% | ||
| AMGN - BMY | 57% Loosely correlated | -0.63% | ||
| PFE - BMY | 57% Loosely correlated | -0.04% | ||
| NVS - BMY | 55% Loosely correlated | -0.55% | ||
| GSK - BMY | 53% Loosely correlated | -0.96% | ||
| ABBV - BMY | 49% Loosely correlated | -0.54% | ||
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MRK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MRK has been loosely correlated with NVS. 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 NVS could also see price increases.