Cencora Inc. (COR)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)
COR
Cencora Inc.
$321.57
+1.48%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $61.36B
MRK
Merck & Company Inc
$144.85
+0.64%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $355.10B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Cencora Inc. generates 400% more annual revenue ($332.77B vs $66.57B). MRK leads profitability with a 4.8% profit margin vs 0.8%. COR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.68. COR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 62/100 (C+).
COR
Buy62
out of 100
Grade: C+
MRK
Hold36
out of 100
Grade: F
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-70.5%
Fair Value
$188.60
Current Price
$321.57
$132.97 premium
Margin of Safety
-73.7%
Fair Value
$82.84
Current Price
$144.85
$62.01 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Every $100 of equity generates 86 in profit
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Large-cap with strong market position
Growing faster than its price suggests
Generating 2.4B in free cash flow
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Generating 4.5B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
0.8% margin — thin
Operating margin of 1.4%
Trading at 20.1x book value
Elevated debt levels
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 : COR
The strongest argument for COR centers on Return on Equity, Altman Z-Score, Market Cap. PEG of 0.68 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : MRK
The strongest argument for MRK centers on Market Cap, Free Cash Flow.
Bear Case : COR
The primary concerns for COR are Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 3.84 is elevated, increasing financial risk. Thin 0.8% 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
COR carries more volatility with a beta of 0.57 — expect wider price swings.
MRK is growing revenue faster at 5.1% — sustainability is the question.
MRK generates stronger free cash flow (4.5B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
COR scores higher overall (62/100 vs 36/100). 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.
Cencora Inc.
HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION · USA
CoreSite Realty Corporation (NYSE: COR) delivers secure, reliable, high-performance data center, cloud access and interconnect solutions to a growing client ecosystem in eight key North American markets.
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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