CAT vs MRK Stock Comparison: Price, Growth & Valuation (2026)
Use MEXC Stock Compare for a detailed CAT vs MRK analysis. Compare CAT and MRK across price performance, growth, valuation, profitability and risk, based on market data and the latest reported financials.
CAT vs MRK Stock Comparison Summary
CAT reported year-over-year revenue growth of 18.4%, compared with 4.6% for MRK. Their P/E ratios are 34.8x and 115.7x, dividend yields are 0.74% and 2.26%, and 30-day volatility levels are 28.7% and 40.1%, respectively. These metrics highlight key differences in growth, valuation, dividend income and market risk. Overall CAT leads across more of the selected comparison metrics.
Risk Disclaimer: MEXC Stock Compare provides information and comparisons on actual U.S.-listed stocks for reference only. Data may be delayed or inaccurate, does not constitute investment advice, and past performance does not guarantee future results.
CAT vs MRK Stock Return Comparison (1W)
Compare the cumulative total returns of Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) and Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) over the selected 1W period. Data as of 2026-09-25 12:00:00.
CAT vs MRK Key Equity Metrics Comparison Summary
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) has a market capitalization of $377.40B and operates in the Industrials sector, with its main business classified under Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment. Its latest quarterly revenue changed +18.4% year over year.
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a market capitalization of $366.95B and operates in the Health Care sector, with its main business classified under Pharmaceuticals. Its latest quarterly revenue changed +4.6% year over year.
CAT vs MRK Key Stock Indicators
| Comparison Metric | CAT | MRK | Comparison results |
Stock Price & Returns Latest delayed stock price with 1-day, 1-month and year-to-date returns. | $821.011D: +2.0%1M: +2.6%1Y: +76.4% | $148.731D: +0.5%1M: +0.3%1Y: +89.4% | MRKWin |
Market Capitalization Total market value of the company's outstanding shares. | $377.40B | $366.95B | CATWin |
Sector & Industry The company's market sector and primary industry classification. | Industrials / Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment | Health Care / Pharmaceuticals | -- |
| Based on delayed market data, CAT is trading at $821.01, compared with $148.73 for MRK. Their market capitalizations are $377.40B and $366.95B, respectively. CAT operates in the Industrials sector, while MRK belongs to Health Care. | |||
| CAT vs MRK Growth & Profitability | |||
Revenue Growth (YoY) Year-over-year change in revenue. | +18.4% | +4.6% | CATWin |
EPS Growth (YoY) Year-over-year change in earnings per share. | +18.3% | -80.7% | CATWin |
ROIC Return generated from invested capital. | 20.0% | 5.8% | CATWin |
Gross Margin / Operating Margin Profitability before and after operating expenses. | 34.3% / 18.6% | 73.0% / 9.6% | MRKWin |
| On growth, CAT posted revenue growth of +18.4% and TTM EPS growth of +18.3%. MRK, by comparison, posted revenue growth of +4.6% and TTM EPS growth of -80.7%.On profitability, CAT recorded a gross margin of 34.3%, an operating margin of 18.6%, and ROIC of 20.0%. For MRK, the corresponding figures were 73.0%, 9.6%, and 5.8%.Overall, CAT shows stronger overall growth and profitability. | |||
| CAT vs MRK Valuation & Balance Sheet | |||
Free Cash Flow Yield Free cash flow as a percentage of market capitalization. | 2.6% | 4.4% | MRKWin |
Net Debt / EBITDA Net debt relative to EBITDA; a negative value indicates net cash. | 2.1x | 2.5x | CATWin |
Dividend Yield / Payout Ratio Dividend returns relative to share price and the share of earnings paid as dividends. | 0.74% / 25.8% | 2.26% / 260.6% | MRKWin |
| MRK offers a higher free cash flow yield, indicating a less demanding valuation. CAT has the stronger balance sheet, while MRK provides the higher dividend yield. Overall, the two stocks differ mainly in valuation, financial strength and dividend income. | |||
| CAT vs MRK Returns & Risk | |||
Total Return (Dividend-Adjusted) Cumulative return over 1, 5 and 10 years, including dividends. | 1Y: +76.4%5Y: +310.8%10Y: +897.4% | 1Y: +89.4%5Y: +102.8%10Y: +139.4% | CATWin |
30-Day Realized Volatility Annualized volatility based on the past 30 days of daily returns. | 28.7% | 40.1% | CATWin |
Beta (5Y vs S&P 500) Sensitivity to market movements; above 1 indicates greater market volatility. | 1.05 | 0.28 | MRKWin |
| CAT has delivered stronger long-term returns, but the risk indicators show mixed results. | |||
CAT vs MRK Valuation & Dividend Metrics
Review CAT compared with MRK across valuation, cash flow and dividend metrics, including P/E, forward P/E, free cash flow yield and dividend yield. These figures are provided for reference only and do not represent a fair-value estimate, price target or investment recommendation.
| Metric | CAT | MRK | Comparison results |
|---|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $377.40B | $366.95B | CATWin |
P/E (TTM) | 34.8x | 115.7x | CATWin |
P/S | 5.0x | 5.5x | CATWin |
EV/EBITDA | 25.6x | 30.2x | CATWin |
Dividend Yield | 0.74% | 2.26% | MRKWin |
CAT vs MRK Profitability Over Time
Compare CAT and MRK across gross margin and operating margin trends over time to understand how each company's profitability has changed. Based on reported financial data only; not a forecast or investment advice.
| TTM | 3Y Avg | 5Y Avg | 10Y Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT | 33.8% | 36.0% | 33.7% | 32.2% |
| MRK | 74.8% | 74.8% | 73.4% | 70.4% |
Technical & Fundamental Stock Analysis
RSI (14, daily)
CAT 51.84 • MRK 57.03
Measures short-term price momentum and helps identify possible overbought or oversold conditions.
50/200-DMA Position
CAT 50D Below / 200D Above • MRK 50D Above / 200D Above
Shows whether the stock is trading above or below its medium- and long-term trend lines.
R&D % of Revenue
CAT 3.0% • MRK 45.7%
Shows how much of revenue is invested in research and development.
Share Count Trend (3Y)
CAT Decreased • MRK Decreased
Shows whether the company's share count has increased or decreased over the past three years.
Company Profiles
Caterpillar Inc.
Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment
Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Its reporting segments are construction, resource, energy, and transportation. Market share approaches 20% across many products. Caterpillar operates a captive finance subsidiary to facilitate sales. The firm has a global reach that is approximately evenly balanced between the US and the rest of the world. Construction skews more domestic, while the other divisions are more geographically diversified. An independent network of over 150 dealers operates approximately 2,800 facilities, giving Caterpillar reach into about 190 countries for sales and support services.
Merck & Co., Inc.
Pharmaceuticals
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. In cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform, led by Keytruda, is a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business aimed at preventing pediatric diseases, as well as Gardasil for human papillomavirus. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, 53% of the company's 2025 sales were generated from US human health (pharmaceuticals and vaccines).
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Everything You Need to Know About CAT vs MRK Stocks
What is MEXC Stock Compare?
MEXC Stock Compare is a side-by-side US stock comparison tool. It helps users compare two companies across stock price performance, market cap, valuation, growth, profitability, balance-sheet strength, dividends and risk. The results are provided for research purposes only and do not constitute investment advice.
Which metrics should I use to evaluate a company's growth?
Start with revenue growth to see how quickly the business is expanding, then review EPS growth to determine whether that growth is translating into higher earnings per share. Gross margin, operating margin and ROIC help assess the quality of that growth by showing profitability and capital efficiency. A company with fast revenue growth but declining margins may be expanding without improving its earnings quality.
How do CAT and MRK compare in growth and profitability?
In the latest reported period, CAT recorded revenue growth of +18.4% and TTM EPS growth of +18.3%, compared with +4.6% and -80.7% for MRK. CAT leads on both growth and profitability. This comparison is based on reported financial metrics and does not predict future performance.
What is the difference between P/E (TTM) and Forward P/E?
P/E (TTM) compares the current share price with actual earnings reported over the past 12 months. Forward P/E uses estimated earnings for the next 12 months, so it reflects market expectations but depends on forecasts that may change. Both ratios should be considered alongside growth, profitability and industry peers.
How do the risk profiles of CAT and MRK compare?
CAT has a 30-day realized volatility of 28.7% and a five-year Beta of 1.05, compared with 40.1% and 0.28 for MRK. The risk indicators show mixed results. These indicators describe historical price movements and market sensitivity, but they do not cover every source of investment risk.
What do dividend yield and payout ratio indicate?
Dividend yield shows the annual dividend relative to the current share price, while the payout ratio shows how much of a company's earnings is distributed as dividends. A higher yield may provide more income, but it can also rise because the share price has fallen. Dividend sustainability should therefore be considered together with earnings, cash flow and the payout ratio.
How should I compare a high-growth stock with a lower-valued stock?
A high-growth stock may trade at a higher valuation if investors expect its revenue and earnings to continue expanding. A lower-valued stock may offer a more conservative entry point, but the lower valuation could also reflect slower growth or higher business risk. Growth, valuation, profitability, cash flow and risk should therefore be considered together.
Which is the better stock, CAT or MRK?
There is no single answer for every investor. Growth-focused investors may place greater weight on revenue growth, EPS growth and ROIC, while income-focused investors may prioritize dividend yield and payout sustainability. Investors with lower risk tolerance may focus more on volatility, Beta and balance-sheet strength. MEXC Stock Compare presents the relevant metrics but does not provide a buy or sell recommendation.
Can I trade CAT and MRK as RealStocks on MEXC?
Eligible users can trade CAT and MRK as real US stocks through MEXC RealStocks if both stocks are currently supported. Users must first open and verify a RealStocks account with MEXC's partner licensed broker. RealStocks represents ownership of actual shares rather than tokenized stock exposure. Availability may vary by stock and region, so users should check the corresponding RealStocks trading page before placing an order.
Disclaimer
The stock prices, financial metrics, comparison results and related information displayed on this page are sourced from third-party providers and are provided for informational and educational purposes only. Data may be delayed, incomplete or inaccurate, and MEXC does not guarantee its accuracy, completeness or timeliness. The comparisons and automated summaries do not constitute financial, investment, legal or tax advice, nor a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security or financial product. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Users should independently verify the information and assess their own objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance before making any decision. Where MEXC stock futures or other derivative products are referenced, such products do not represent ownership of the underlying shares and may involve leverage and a substantial risk of loss. Product availability is subject to applicable laws and regional restrictions.