WallStSmart

Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK-A)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Berkshire Hathaway Inc generates 471% more annual revenue ($375.39B vs $65.77B). BRK-A leads profitability with a 19.3% profit margin vs 13.6%. MRK appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 5.28. BRK-A earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 59/100 (C).

BRK-A

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 6.7Profit: 6.5Value: 5.0Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.46

MRK

Hold

50

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 3.3Profit: 8.0Value: 3.3Quality: 4.8
Piotroski: 2/9
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for BRK-A.

MRKOvervalued (-14.9%)

Margin of Safety

-14.9%

Fair Value

$97.76

Current Price

$111.38

$13.62 premium

UndervaluedFair: $97.76Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BRK-A6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Market CapQuality
$1.03T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
119.6%10/10

Earnings expanding 119.6% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.219/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

P/E RatioValuation
14.2x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$5.45B8/10

Generating 5.5B in free cash flow

MRK3 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$277.36B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Operating MarginProfitability
38.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 38.6%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.93B8/10

Generating 2.9B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

BRK-A2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.4%4/10

4.4% revenue growth

PEG RatioValuation
9.952/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

MRK4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
P/E RatioValuation
31.6x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.9%4/10

4.9% revenue growth

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
5.282/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BRK-A

The strongest argument for BRK-A centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 19.3% and operating margin at 14.3%.

Bull Case : MRK

The strongest argument for MRK centers on Market Cap, Operating Margin, Free Cash Flow.

Bear Case : BRK-A

The primary concerns for BRK-A are Revenue Growth, PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : MRK

The primary concerns for MRK are P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, Piotroski F-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

BRK-A carries more volatility with a beta of 0.62 — expect wider price swings.

MRK is growing revenue faster at 4.9% — sustainability is the question.

BRK-A generates stronger free cash flow (5.5B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

BRK-A scores higher overall (59/100 vs 50/100), backed by strong 19.3% margins. 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.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED · USA

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. The company wholly owns GEICO, Duracell, Dairy Queen, BNSF, Lubrizol, Fruit of the Loom, Helzberg Diamonds, Long & Foster, FlightSafety International, Pampered Chef, Forest River, and NetJets, and also owns 38.6% of Pilot Flying J; and significant minority holdings in public companies Kraft Heinz Company (26.7%), American Express (18.8%), The Coca-Cola Company (9.32%), Bank of America (11.9%), and Apple (6.3%).

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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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