Assembly Biosciences Inc (ASMB)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)
ASMB
Assembly Biosciences Inc
$28.96
-2.82%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $606.75M
MRK
Merck & Company Inc
$144.85
+0.64%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $355.10B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Merck & Company Inc generates 88842% more annual revenue ($66.57B vs $74.84M). MRK leads profitability with a 4.8% profit margin vs -0.1%. ASMB trades at a lower P/E of 24.6x. MRK earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 36/100 (F).
ASMB
Avoid32
out of 100
Grade: F
MRK
Hold36
out of 100
Grade: F
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+33.8%
Fair Value
$41.32
Current Price
$28.96
$12.36 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
Revenue surging 38.9% year-over-year
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Reasonable price relative to book value
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Generating 4.5B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
0.0% earnings growth
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of -0.0% — below average capital efficiency
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
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 : ASMB
The strongest argument for ASMB centers on Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 38.9% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : MRK
The strongest argument for MRK centers on Market Cap, Free Cash Flow.
Bear Case : ASMB
The primary concerns for ASMB are EPS Growth, Market Cap, Return on Equity.
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
ASMB profiles as a hypergrowth stock while MRK is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
ASMB carries more volatility with a beta of 1.13 — expect wider price swings.
ASMB is growing revenue faster at 38.9% — sustainability is the question.
MRK generates stronger free cash flow (4.5B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
MRK scores higher overall (36/100 vs 32/100). ASMB offers better value entry with a 33.8% margin of safety. Both earn "Hold" and "Avoid" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Assembly Biosciences Inc
HEALTHCARE · BIOTECHNOLOGY · USA
Assembly Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company in the United States. The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.
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 BIOTECHNOLOGY Stocks
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