HCA vs MRK: Which is Better to Buy in 2026?

Side-by-side fundamental comparison based on AI analysis of SEC filings

AI Verdict

HCA has stronger fundamentals based on our AI analysis.

HCA
HCA Healthcare, Inc.
A
76%
Confidence
VS
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
B
78%
Confidence

HCA vs MRK Fundamental Comparison

Metric HCA MRK
Revenue $19.1B $16.3B
Net Income $1.6B $-4.2B
Net Margin 8.5% -26.0%
ROE N/A -9.2%
ROA 2.6% -3.3%
Current Ratio 0.83x 1.30x
Debt/Equity N/A 1.02x
EPS $7.15 $-1.72

Green = Better metric | Red = Weaker metric

View Full HCA Analysis →
View Full MRK Analysis →
Browse Sectors: Technology Healthcare Finance Energy Consumer Industrial
Stock Lists: Top Rated Undervalued Growth Dividend

You Might Also Compare

HCA vs AAPL MRK vs MSFT HCA vs GOOGL MRK vs AMZN

HCA vs MRK: Frequently Asked Questions

Is HCA or MRK the better stock in 2026?

Based on dual AI fundamental analysis (Claude and ChatGPT), HCA has stronger fundamentals. HCA is graded A (76% confidence) while MRK is graded B (78% confidence). This is not investment advice.

How does HCA compare to MRK fundamentally?

HCA Healthcare, Inc. has ROE of N/A vs Merck & Co., Inc.'s -9.2%. Net margins are 8.5% vs -26.0% respectively.

Which stock pays higher dividends, HCA or MRK?

HCA has a dividend yield of N/A or no dividend while MRK has N/A or no dividend. Check individual stock pages for detailed dividend history and payout ratios.

Should I invest in HCA or MRK for long term?

For long-term investing, consider that HCA has a A grade with 76% confidence, while MRK has a B grade with 78% confidence. Higher confidence indicates more consistent fundamentals from SEC filings. This is not investment advice - always do your own research.

What do the AI models say about HCA vs MRK?

Our dual AI system (Claude by Anthropic and ChatGPT by OpenAI) analyzes SEC 10-K and 10-Q filings independently. For HCA vs MRK, the AI consensus favors HCA based on fundamental metrics including revenue growth, profitability, ROE, and balance sheet strength.