LivaNova PLC (LIVN)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)
LIVN
LivaNova PLC
$78.18
0.00%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $4.50B
MRK
Merck & Company Inc
$144.85
+0.64%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $355.10B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Merck & Company Inc generates 4424% more annual revenue ($66.57B vs $1.47B). LIVN leads profitability with a 12.8% profit margin vs 4.8%. LIVN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.93. LIVN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).
LIVN
Strong Buy68
out of 100
Grade: B-
MRK
Hold36
out of 100
Grade: F
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+7.7%
Fair Value
$71.98
Current Price
$78.18
$6.20 discount
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
Earnings expanding 287.8% YoY
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Growing faster than its price suggests
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Generating 4.5B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Distress zone — elevated risk
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 : LIVN
The strongest argument for LIVN centers on EPS Growth, Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio. Revenue growth of 10.8% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.93 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 : LIVN
The primary concerns for LIVN are Altman Z-Score.
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
LIVN carries more volatility with a beta of 0.87 — expect wider price swings.
LIVN is growing revenue faster at 10.8% — sustainability is the question.
MRK generates stronger free cash flow (4.5B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor MEDICAL DEVICES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
LIVN scores higher overall (68/100 vs 36/100) and 10.8% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong 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.
LivaNova PLC
HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL DEVICES · USA
LivaNova PLC, a medical device company, designs, develops, manufactures and sells therapeutic solutions globally. The company is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Visit Website →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.
Visit Website →Compare with Other MEDICAL DEVICES Stocks
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