HCA Healthcare, Inc. vs Merck & Company, Inc. — Stock Comparison
HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) and Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) are both listed on US exchanges. This page compares their Q·Score ratings, key fundamentals (P/E, margins, growth), and Wall Street analyst consensus side by side. Data sourced from Yahoo Finance and updated on each page load.
HCA Healthcare, Inc. and Merck & Company, Inc. are evenly matched on Q·Score (6.3/10 each). Merck & Company, Inc. scores higher on Health, reflecting stronger balance sheet strength. Analyst consensus targets imply greater upside for HCA (+5.2%) than for MRK (-3.1%).
Price Performance
Normalised to 100 at period start — shows relative performance.
Q·Score Breakdown
Forward P/E of 13.4× is low relative to sector peers.
⚠ balance sheet warrants attention.
71% of 28 covering analysts have a positive rating.
⚠ weak profitability metrics drag quality score.
Analyst Consensus
Fundamentals
Frequently Asked Questions
HCA vs MRK: which stock scores better overall?
Based on Q·Score, HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) scores 6.3/10 versus Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) at 6.3/10. The Q·Score measures five dimensions: Quality, Health, Growth, Valuation, and Sentiment. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.
Which has better revenue growth: HCA or MRK?
HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) scores higher on Growth (7.1/10 vs 6.4/10). HCA Healthcare, Inc. reports revenue growth (8.7% YoY) while Merck & Company, Inc. reports (5.1% YoY). Growth scores reflect revenue and earnings momentum relative to sector peers.
Is HCA or MRK more attractively valued?
HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) scores higher on Valuation (7.2/10 vs 6.5/10). HCA trades at 13.4× P/E versus MRK at 16.0×. Valuation is assessed using P/E ratio, analyst price targets, and 52-week range positioning relative to sector peers.
What do analysts say about HCA vs MRK?
There are 21 analysts covering HCA with a consensus price target of $451.48, and 26 analysts covering MRK with a consensus target of $147.77. Analyst consensus ratings are aggregated from Wall Street research and do not constitute investment advice.
Which is more profitable: HCA or MRK?
HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) scores higher on Quality (5.5/10 vs 4.9/10). Net profit margin: HCA at 8.8%, MRK at 4.8%. Quality scores reflect profit margins, return on equity, and free cash flow generation.
Which has stronger financial health: HCA or MRK?
Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) scores higher on Financial Health (7/10 vs 5.4/10). Market beta: HCA at 1.11, MRK at 0.21. Health scores consider beta, debt-to-equity, and current ratio. All investments carry risk — this is not investment advice.
What are the market caps of HCA and MRK?
HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) has a market capitalisation of $92.9B, while Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK) has a market cap of $376.4B. Market cap data is sourced from Yahoo Finance and reflects the most recent available figures.
Do HCA or MRK pay dividends?
HCA pays a dividend yield of 0.73%, while MRK pays a dividend yield of 2.23%. Dividend yields fluctuate with share price and company payout decisions.
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Q·Score is an educational tool and is not financial advice. Data provided by Yahoo Finance. Updated on each page load. How it's calculated →