Merck & Co. vs UnitedHealth Group
MRK and UNH, both healthcare, compared on the same figures computed the same way.
On our discounted cash flow model, Merck & Co. looks the cheaper of the two, trading 18 percentage points further below its estimated fair value than UnitedHealth Group. That is a statement about price against one model, not a forecast, and most of a DCF's output sits in a terminal value nobody can actually forecast.
Merck & Co. scores higher on our moat model (75 against 73). A moat is a structural reason competitors cannot take the profits away, and over a long holding period it matters more than any single quarter's numbers.
MRK trades at 17.0 times earnings against UNH's 17.9. A lower multiple is not automatically the better deal: on a cyclical business the low P/E arrives at the top of the cycle, right before earnings fall.
The honest answer to "which is better" is that it depends on what you are buying them for, and neither this page nor any screen can make that judgement for you. What it can do is show you the same figures for both, computed the same way, so the comparison is fair.
| Metric | MRK | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $82.00 | $492.10 |
| Market cap | $210.00B | $450.00B |
| P/E ratio | 17.0 | 17.9 |
| DCF fair value | $105.00 | $540.00 |
| Upside to fair value | +28.0% | +9.7% |
| Moat score | 75/100 | 73/100 |
| Dividend yield | 3.50% | 1.60% |
| Return on equity | 35.0% | 25.0% |
| Overall rating | 66/100, Buy | 71/100, Strong Buy |
Gold marks the more favourable figure on rows where “better” has an agreed direction. It is a signpost, not a verdict. A lower P/E can be a value trap; a higher yield can be a dividend about to be cut.
Common questions
Is MRK or UNH a better buy?
Neither page nor screen can answer that for your situation, but on the numbers: our overall rating puts UnitedHealth Group ahead (71 to 66), and on discounted cash flow Merck & Co. looks cheaper against its own fair value. Both readings are one model's opinion, not advice.
MRK vs UNH: which has the wider moat?
Our moat model scores MRK at 75 and UNH at 73 out of 100. The higher score means a more durable structural advantage, which matters most over a long holding period.
Compare any two companies yourself, with financial statements and peer data, free inside the app.
Metrics from company filings and our own valuation model, both of which can be wrong. Quotes are delayed. Educational information, not financial advice.