Merck & Company Inc (MRK)vsPrestige Brand Holdings Inc (PBH)
MRK
Merck & Company Inc
$144.85
+0.64%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $355.10B
PBH
Prestige Brand Holdings Inc
$46.95
-0.82%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $2.31B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Merck & Company Inc generates 5925% more annual revenue ($66.57B vs $1.10B). PBH leads profitability with a 15.6% profit margin vs 4.8%. PBH appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.52. PBH earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 59/100 (C).
MRK
Hold36
out of 100
Grade: F
PBH
Buy59
out of 100
Grade: C
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-73.7%
Fair Value
$82.84
Current Price
$144.85
$62.01 premium
Margin of Safety
-52.5%
Fair Value
$43.25
Current Price
$46.95
$3.70 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Generating 4.5B in free cash flow
Reasonable price relative to book value
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Strong operational efficiency at 20.8%
Areas to Watch
Trading at 8.5x book value
ROE of 7.6% — below average capital efficiency
4.8% margin — thin
Elevated debt levels
Expensive relative to growth rate
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Earnings declined 35.8%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : MRK
The strongest argument for MRK centers on Market Cap, Free Cash Flow.
Bull Case : PBH
The strongest argument for PBH centers on Price/Book, P/E Ratio, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.6% and operating margin at 20.8%.
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.
Bear Case : PBH
The primary concerns for PBH are PEG Ratio, Debt/Equity, Piotroski F-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
MRK profiles as a value stock while PBH is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
PBH carries more volatility with a beta of 0.33 — expect wider price swings.
PBH is growing revenue faster at 6.5% — sustainability is the question.
MRK generates stronger free cash flow (4.5B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
PBH scores higher overall (59/100 vs 36/100), backed by strong 15.6% 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.
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 →Prestige Brand Holdings Inc
HEALTHCARE · DRUG MANUFACTURERS - SPECIALTY & GENERIC · USA
Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc., develops, manufactures, markets, distributes and sells over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare products in the United States and internationally. The company is headquartered in Tarrytown, New York.
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