Side by sideJohnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Merck (MRK)Memos of October 14, 2026 and October 12, 2026
Johnson & Johnson vs Merck stock: the numbers side by side (October 2026)
How do Johnson & Johnson and Merck compare?
| Johnson & Johnson JNJ | Merck MRK | |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth | 6.0%2025 | 1.3%2025 |
| Operating margin | 34.5%2025 | 32.6%2025 |
| Free cash flow | 19,536US$ millions · 2025 | 12,360US$ millions · 2025 |
| Free cash flow yield | 3.3%Today (Oct 14, 2026) | 3.4%Today (Oct 11, 2026) |
| Dividend yield | 2.2%Today (Oct 14, 2026) | 2.3%Today (Oct 11, 2026) |
| P/E, last 12 months | 37.7xToday (Oct 14, 2026) | 116.5xToday (Oct 11, 2026) |
| P/E, next 12 months | 20.1xToday (Oct 14, 2026) | 15.6xToday (Oct 11, 2026) |
| Weighted price forecast, about 1 year | 229.07 (-6%)October 2027 | 131.92 (-7 %)October 2027 |
| Weighted price forecast, about 3 years | 251.90 (+8%)October 2029 | 106.83 (-19 %)October 2029 |
Who leads on what?
| Leads | The lead is | |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth | Johnson & Johnson | The higher figure |
| Operating margin | Johnson & Johnson | The higher figure |
| Free cash flow | Johnson & Johnson | The higher figure |
| Free cash flow yield | Merck | The higher figure |
| Dividend yield | Merck | The higher figure |
| P/E, last 12 months | Johnson & Johnson | The lower figure |
| P/E, next 12 months | Merck | The lower figure |
| Weighted price forecast, about 1 year | Johnson & Johnson | The higher weighted return |
| Weighted price forecast, about 3 years | Johnson & Johnson | The higher weighted return |
What does each company do?
Johnson & Johnson sells prescription medicines and medical devices through Innovative Medicine and MedTech.
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), from our memo of October 14, 2026 · Johnson & Johnson stock forecast
Merck sells human medicines and vaccines through clinics, hospitals, wholesalers—distributors that move products to pharmacies and care sites—health plans and governments.
Merck (MRK), from our memo of October 12, 2026 · Merck stock forecast
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