Jul. 16, 2025 3:08 PM ETMerck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Stock, GILD Stock, GILD:CA Stock, MRK:CA StockMRK, GILD, GILD:CA, MRK:CAEnvision ResearchInvesting Group LeaderSummaryI reiterate my Hold rating on Merck & Co., Inc. and downgrade Gilead Sciences, Inc. to Sell, as MRK outperforms on dividend growth and valuation metrics.Compared to GILD, MRK features a longer dividend growth streak, a higher recent dividend increase, and a superior PEGY ratio.Both companies have similar payout ratios and mixed buyback histories, but GILD’s inventory management is notably better than MRK’s.Additional risks include GILD's profit headwinds from its aging HCV/HIV franchises and demand issues for MRK’s Gardasil.I do much more than just articles at Envision Early Retirement: Members get access to model portfolios, regular updates, a chat room, and more. Learn More »Sundry PhotographyMRK vs. GILD stock: Previous Thesis And New DevelopmentsWe last analyzed Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) stock on May 22 in an article titled “Merck & Co. Stock: Inventory Doesn't Lie.” The article focused on the demand inAs you can tell, our core style is to provide actionable and unambiguous ideas from our independent research. If your share this investment style, check out Envision Early Retirement. It provides at least 1x in-depth articles per week on such ideas.We have helped our members not only to beat S&P 500 but also avoid heavy drawdowns despite the extreme volatilities in BOTH the equity AND bond market.Join for a trial and see if our proven method can help you too.This article was written byEnvision Research18.12K FollowersEnvision Research, aka Lucas Ma, has over 20+ years of investment experience and holds a Masters with in Quantitative Investment and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on renewable energy, both from Stanford University. He also has 30+ years of hands-on experience in high-tech R&D and consulting, housing sector, credit sector, and actual portfolio management.He leads the investing group Envision Early Retirement along with Sensor Unlimited where they offer proven solutions to generate both high income and high growth with isolated risks through dynamic asset allocation. Features include: two model portfolios - one for short-term survival/withdrawal and one for aggressive long-term growth, direct access via chat to discuss ideas, monthly updates on all holdings, tax discussions, and ticker critiques by request.Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.CommentsRecommended For You