Astrana Health Inc (ASTH)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)
ASTH
Astrana Health Inc
$37.99
+0.37%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $1.87B
MRK
Merck & Company Inc
$120.79
-1.42%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $285.64B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Merck & Company Inc generates 1765% more annual revenue ($65.77B vs $3.53B). MRK leads profitability with a 13.6% profit margin vs 0.9%. MRK trades at a lower P/E of 32.6x. ASTH earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).
ASTH
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
MRK
Hold50
out of 100
Grade: D+
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+89.9%
Fair Value
$188.57
Current Price
$37.99
$150.58 discount
Margin of Safety
-49.3%
Fair Value
$80.88
Current Price
$120.79
$39.91 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Revenue surging 55.6% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 110.1% YoY
Reasonable price relative to book value
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Strong operational efficiency at 38.6%
Generating 2.9B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of 3.8% — below average capital efficiency
0.9% margin — thin
Operating margin of 3.0%
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
4.9% revenue growth
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ASTH
The strongest argument for ASTH centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 55.6% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : MRK
The strongest argument for MRK centers on Market Cap, Operating Margin, Free Cash Flow.
Bear Case : ASTH
The primary concerns for ASTH are Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 61.7x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 0.9% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : MRK
The primary concerns for MRK are P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ASTH profiles as a hypergrowth stock while MRK is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
ASTH carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.
ASTH is growing revenue faster at 55.6% — sustainability is the question.
MRK generates stronger free cash flow (2.9B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
ASTH scores higher overall (56/100 vs 50/100) and 55.6% revenue growth. 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.
Astrana Health Inc
HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES · USA
Astrana Health, Inc., Inc., a physician-centric technology-powered healthcare management company, provides medical care services in the United States. The company is headquartered in Alhambra, California.
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 MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?