WallStSmart

Health Catalyst Inc (HCAT)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Merck & Company Inc generates 20795% more annual revenue ($65.01B vs $311.14M). MRK leads profitability with a 28.1% profit margin vs -57.2%. MRK earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 59/100 (C).

HCAT

Hold

37

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 3.3Profit: 2.0Value: 6.7Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: -1.07

MRK

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 4.0Profit: 9.5Value: 4.7Quality: 4.8
Piotroski: 3/9
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

HCATUndervalued (+89.0%)

Margin of Safety

+89.0%

Fair Value

$18.14

Current Price

$1.25

$16.89 discount

UndervaluedFair: $18.14Overvalued
MRKOvervalued (-13.2%)

Margin of Safety

-13.2%

Fair Value

$96.48

Current Price

$109.18

$12.70 premium

UndervaluedFair: $96.48Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

HCAT1 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Price/BookValuation
0.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

MRK6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$274.03B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
36.9%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 37 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
32.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.8%

Profit MarginProfitability
28.1%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
15.2x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.82B8/10

Generating 1.8B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

HCAT4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
0.0%4/10

0.0% earnings growth

Market CapQuality
$100.81M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Return on EquityProfitability
-58.3%2/10

ROE of -58.3% — below average capital efficiency

MRK3 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
3.362/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-19.3%2/10

Earnings declined 19.3%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : HCAT

The strongest argument for HCAT centers on Price/Book.

Bull Case : MRK

The strongest argument for MRK centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.1% and operating margin at 32.8%.

Bear Case : HCAT

The primary concerns for HCAT are EPS Growth, Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score.

Bear Case : MRK

The primary concerns for MRK are Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio, EPS Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

HCAT profiles as a turnaround stock while MRK is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

HCAT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.81 — expect wider price swings.

MRK is growing revenue faster at 5.0% — sustainability is the question.

MRK generates stronger free cash flow (1.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

MRK scores higher overall (59/100 vs 37/100), backed by strong 28.1% margins. HCAT offers better value entry with a 89.0% margin of safety. 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.

Health Catalyst Inc

HEALTHCARE · HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICES · USA

Health Catalyst, Inc. provides data and analytics technology and services to healthcare organizations. The company is headquartered in South Jordan, Utah.

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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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