Merck Vs. Pfizer: Which Stock Is Better Before Q1 Earnings?
Zacks Investment Research | Apr 25, 2018 09:20PM ET
Investors are keenly awaiting earnings results from both Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE:PFE) . The main reason is that Merck KGaA's consumer healthcare division was acquired by Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE:PG) last month for $4.2 billion or €3.4 billion. Following the acquisition, the focus shifted toward Pfizer as Procter & Gamble was expected to acquire the consumer healthcare business unit of the former.
Meanwhile, the healthcare sector has jumped 9.9% in the past year, becoming one of the best performing sectors among the S&P 500. Signs of the sector’s well-being became more evident in the last one year, when the NYSE ARCA Pharmaceutical Index and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index gained 2.9% and 4.6%, respectively.
With both Merck and Pfizer are scheduled to report on May 1, this may be a good time to figure out which of these is a better stock. Both pharma giants carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see Zacks Investment Research
Get The News You Want
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.