WallStSmart

Lumentum Holdings Inc (LITE)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Merck & Company Inc generates 2988% more annual revenue ($65.01B vs $2.11B). MRK leads profitability with a 28.1% profit margin vs 11.9%. LITE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.97. LITE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).

LITE

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 4.7Quality: 3.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.58

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

LITESignificantly Overvalued (-255.6%)

Margin of Safety

-255.6%

Fair Value

$161.46

Current Price

$777.17

$615.71 premium

UndervaluedFair: $161.46Overvalued
MRKSignificantly Overvalued (-141.2%)

Margin of Safety

-141.2%

Fair Value

$49.50

Current Price

$119.37

$69.87 premium

UndervaluedFair: $49.50Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LITE5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
65.5%10/10

Revenue surging 65.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
71.1%10/10

Earnings expanding 71.1% YoY

Market CapQuality
$57.26B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Return on EquityProfitability
29.3%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 29 in profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.978/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

MRK6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$287.71B10/10

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
16.0x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.82B8/10

Generating 1.8B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

LITE3 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
232.5x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
65.5x2/10

Trading at 65.5x book value

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.582/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

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

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
3.492/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-19.3%2/10

Earnings declined 19.3%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : LITE

The strongest argument for LITE centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 65.5% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.97 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

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 : LITE

The primary concerns for LITE are P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Altman Z-Score. A P/E of 232.5x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : MRK

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LITE profiles as a growth stock while MRK is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

LITE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.41 — expect wider price swings.

LITE is growing revenue faster at 65.5% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

LITE scores higher overall (69/100 vs 59/100) and 65.5% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Lumentum Holdings Inc

TECHNOLOGY · COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT · USA

Lumentum Holdings Inc. manufactures and sells optical and photonic products in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company is headquartered in San Jose, 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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