WallStSmart

Arista Networks (ANET)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Merck & Company Inc generates 622% more annual revenue ($65.01B vs $9.01B). ANET leads profitability with a 39.0% profit margin vs 28.1%. ANET appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.85. ANET earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).

ANET

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 7.3Quality: 7.3
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 3.53

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

ANETSignificantly Overvalued (-28.9%)

Margin of Safety

-28.9%

Fair Value

$103.11

Current Price

$131.22

$28.11 premium

UndervaluedFair: $103.11Overvalued
MRKSignificantly Overvalued (-130.9%)

Margin of Safety

-130.9%

Fair Value

$49.44

Current Price

$114.18

$64.74 premium

UndervaluedFair: $49.44Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ANET6 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
31.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 31 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
39.0%10/10

Keeps 39 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
41.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 41.5%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.5310/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$165.24B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Revenue GrowthGrowth
28.9%8/10

Revenue surging 28.9% year-over-year

MRK6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$282.30B10/10

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
15.7x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.82B8/10

Generating 1.8B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

ANET4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.854/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
13.3x4/10

Trading at 13.3x book value

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

P/E RatioValuation
47.5x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

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 : ANET

The strongest argument for ANET centers on Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 39.0% and operating margin at 41.5%. Revenue growth of 28.9% demonstrates continued momentum.

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 : ANET

The primary concerns for ANET are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Piotroski F-Score. A P/E of 47.5x 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

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

ANET carries more volatility with a beta of 1.46 — expect wider price swings.

ANET is growing revenue faster at 28.9% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

ANET scores higher overall (69/100 vs 59/100), backed by strong 39.0% margins and 28.9% 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.

Arista Networks

TECHNOLOGY · COMPUTER HARDWARE · USA

Arista Networks (formerly Arastra) is an American computer networking company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The company designs and sells multilayer network switches to deliver software-defined networking (SDN) solutions for large datacenter, cloud computing, high-performance computing, and high-frequency trading environments.

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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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