WallStSmart

Intuitive Surgical Inc (ISRG)vsMerck & Company Inc (MRK)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Merck & Company Inc generates 522% more annual revenue ($65.77B vs $10.58B). ISRG leads profitability with a 28.1% profit margin vs 13.6%. ISRG appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.37. ISRG earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).

ISRG

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 9.0Value: 5.3Quality: 7.8
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 6.18

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

ISRGUndervalued (+76.6%)

Margin of Safety

+76.6%

Fair Value

$1938.99

Current Price

$450.06

$1488.93 discount

UndervaluedFair: $1938.99Overvalued
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

ISRG5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Operating MarginProfitability
30.9%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 30.9%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
6.1810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$160.61B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
28.1%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
23.0%8/10

Revenue surging 23.0% year-over-year

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

ISRG3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.374/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
9.1x4/10

Trading at 9.1x book value

P/E RatioValuation
55.2x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

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 : ISRG

The strongest argument for ISRG centers on Operating Margin, Altman Z-Score, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.1% and operating margin at 30.9%. Revenue growth of 23.0% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : MRK

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

Bear Case : ISRG

The primary concerns for ISRG are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 55.2x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : MRK

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

ISRG carries more volatility with a beta of 1.51 — expect wider price swings.

ISRG is growing revenue faster at 23.0% — sustainability is the question.

MRK generates stronger free cash flow (2.9B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ISRG scores higher overall (64/100 vs 50/100), backed by strong 28.1% margins and 23.0% 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.

Intuitive Surgical Inc

HEALTHCARE · MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & SUPPLIES · USA

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is an American corporation that develops, manufactures, and markets robotic products designed to improve clinical outcomes of patients through minimally invasive surgery, most notably with the da Vinci Surgical System.

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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