British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)
BTI
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
$58.28
+0.34%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $125.67B
MRK
Merck & Company Inc
$111.38
-0.82%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $277.36B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Merck & Company Inc generates 157% more annual revenue ($65.77B vs $25.61B). BTI leads profitability with a 30.3% profit margin vs 13.6%. BTI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.52. BTI earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 60/100 (C+).
BTI
Buy60
out of 100
Grade: C+
MRK
Hold50
out of 100
Grade: D+
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+23.4%
Fair Value
$78.80
Current Price
$58.28
$20.52 discount
Margin of Safety
-14.9%
Fair Value
$97.76
Current Price
$111.38
$13.62 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Keeps 30 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 34.6%
Large-cap with strong market position
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Generating 3.0B in free cash flow
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Strong operational efficiency at 38.6%
Generating 2.9B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Trading at 10.1x book value
0.1% revenue growth
1.6% earnings growth
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
4.9% revenue growth
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : BTI
The strongest argument for BTI centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 30.3% and operating margin at 34.6%.
Bull Case : MRK
The strongest argument for MRK centers on Market Cap, Operating Margin, Free Cash Flow.
Bear Case : BTI
The primary concerns for BTI are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth.
Bear Case : MRK
The primary concerns for MRK are P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, Piotroski F-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
MRK carries more volatility with a beta of 0.20 — expect wider price swings.
MRK is growing revenue faster at 4.9% — sustainability is the question.
BTI generates stronger free cash flow (3.0B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor TOBACCO industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
BTI scores higher overall (60/100 vs 50/100), backed by strong 30.3% margins. 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.
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · TOBACCO · USA
British American Tobacco plc offers tobacco and nicotine products to consumers around the world. The company is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
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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