Avantor Inc (AVTR)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)
AVTR
Avantor Inc
$14.81
-0.47%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $10.31B
MRK
Merck & Company Inc
$143.93
-0.54%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $355.10B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Merck & Company Inc generates 915% more annual revenue ($66.57B vs $6.56B). MRK leads profitability with a 4.8% profit margin vs -8.8%. AVTR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 38/100 (F).
AVTR
Hold38
out of 100
Grade: F
MRK
Hold36
out of 100
Grade: F
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+23.7%
Fair Value
$12.63
Current Price
$14.81
$2.18 discount
Margin of Safety
-73.7%
Fair Value
$82.84
Current Price
$143.93
$61.09 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Generating 4.5B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
0.5% revenue growth
Weak financial health signals
ROE of -9.9% — below average capital efficiency
Earnings declined 37.4%
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 : AVTR
The strongest argument for AVTR centers on Price/Book.
Bull Case : MRK
The strongest argument for MRK centers on Market Cap, Free Cash Flow.
Bear Case : AVTR
The primary concerns for AVTR are Revenue Growth, Piotroski F-Score, 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
AVTR profiles as a turnaround stock while MRK is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
AVTR carries more volatility with a beta of 0.90 — expect wider price swings.
MRK is growing revenue faster at 5.1% — sustainability is the question.
MRK generates stronger free cash flow (4.5B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
AVTR scores higher overall (38/100 vs 36/100). Both earn "Hold" 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.
Avantor Inc
HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES · USA
Avantor, Inc. provides products and services to clients in the biopharmaceutical, healthcare, education and government, advanced technologies and applied materials industries in America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The company is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania.
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 MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES Stocks
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