Astrana Health Inc (ASTH)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)
ASTH
Astrana Health Inc
$37.98
-0.13%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $1.89B
MRK
Merck & Company Inc
$143.93
-0.54%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $355.10B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Merck & Company Inc generates 1632% more annual revenue ($66.57B vs $3.84B). MRK leads profitability with a 4.8% profit margin vs 1.1%. ASTH trades at a lower P/E of 46.4x. ASTH earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).
ASTH
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
MRK
Hold36
out of 100
Grade: F
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Intrinsic value data unavailable for ASTH.
Margin of Safety
-73.7%
Fair Value
$82.84
Current Price
$143.93
$61.09 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Revenue surging 48.5% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 110.5% YoY
Reasonable price relative to book value
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Generating 4.5B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of 3.8% — below average capital efficiency
1.1% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.5%
Trading at 8.5x book value
ROE of 7.6% — below average capital efficiency
4.8% margin — thin
Elevated debt levels
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ASTH
The strongest argument for ASTH centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 48.5% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : MRK
The strongest argument for MRK centers on Market Cap, Free Cash Flow.
Bear Case : ASTH
The primary concerns for ASTH are Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 46.4x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 1.1% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : MRK
The primary concerns for MRK are Price/Book, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 116.1x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 4.8% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ASTH profiles as a hypergrowth stock while MRK is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
ASTH carries more volatility with a beta of 0.91 — expect wider price swings.
ASTH is growing revenue faster at 48.5% — sustainability is the question.
MRK generates stronger free cash flow (4.5B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
ASTH scores higher overall (56/100 vs 36/100) and 48.5% revenue growth. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Astrana Health Inc
HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES · USA
Astrana Health, Inc., Inc., a physician-centric technology-powered healthcare management company, provides medical care services in the United States. The company is headquartered in Alhambra, California.
Merck & Company Inc
HEALTHCARE · DRUG MANUFACTURERS - GENERAL · USA
Merck & Co. is an American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey. It is named after the Merck family, which set up Merck Group in Germany in 1668.
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