MRK

NYSE · Pharmaceuticals

Merck & Co. Inc.

Q: What does Merck & Co. do?

Merck generates revenue from blockbuster prescription drugs led by Keytruda, a cancer immunotherapy that accounts for a substantial portion of sales. The company also produces vaccines (including Gardasil for HPV), treatments for diabetes and infectious diseases, and animal health products. Merck's research pipeline focuses on oncology, immunology, and vaccines, with revenue driven by patent-protected pharmaceuticals sold globally to healthcare providers and governments.

Q: Is MRK stock a good investment?

Merck offers investors exposure to Keytruda's continued growth, which drives strong revenue expansion and profitability with operating margins above 30%. The company faces patent cliff risks as Keytruda loses exclusivity in the early 2030s, making pipeline success critical. Valuation is moderate with a reasonable P/E ratio, and the 3% dividend yield provides income. Suitable for investors seeking pharmaceutical exposure with a mix of growth and income.

Q: Who are Merck & Co.'s main competitors?

Pfizer competes across oncology, vaccines, and primary care drugs, Bristol Myers Squibb rivals Merck in cancer immunotherapy with Opdivo, while Johnson & Johnson competes in pharmaceuticals and vaccines. AstraZeneca and Roche also challenge Merck in oncology markets, where immunotherapy treatments command premium pricing and drive industry profitability.

Q: Does Merck & Co. pay dividends?

Merck has paid consecutive quarterly dividends for over 40 years and maintains a moderate payout ratio that balances shareholder returns with R&D investment. The company typically yields around 3% and has demonstrated commitment to annual dividend growth. Strong cash flow from Keytruda and other established drugs supports the dividend policy, though future increases depend on pipeline success as key patents expire.

Q: Where is MRK trading today?

MRK last closed at $148.78, up 0.54% in the most recent trading session. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between a low of $77.58 and a high of $156.92. The current price represents 90% of its 52-week range, which helps investors gauge where the stock sits relative to its recent trading history.

Q: What are analyst ratings for MRK stock?

Among 36 analysts covering MRK, the consensus rating is Buy — 26 rate it a buy, 10 hold, and 0 sell. The average price target sits at $159.27, implying 7% upside from the current price. Keep in mind that analyst targets reflect 12-month expectations and can shift quickly after earnings reports or major company events.

Q: How much revenue does Merck & Co. Inc. generate?

Merck & Co. Inc. generated $63.71B in revenue during fiscal year 2026, with $17.89B reaching the bottom line as net income. The net profit margin of 28.1% is strong by most industry standards.

Q: What is the price-to-earnings ratio for MRK?

MRK trades at a P/E ratio of 115.20 on trailing earnings of $1.25 per share. That's well above the S&P 500 historical average of ~20-25x, which typically signals that investors are pricing in aggressive future growth. Comparing this multiple against Pharmaceuticals sector peers gives better context than the broad market alone, since P/E norms vary significantly across industries.

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$148.78

+0.80 (+0.54%)

As of Sep 26, 1:00 AM ET ·

Day Range $147.48 — $149.98

52W Range $77.58 — $156.92

Performance

1D —

1W —

1M —

3M —

6M —

1Y +89.38%

YTD +39.77%

Open$148.06

Previous Close$147.98

Day High$149.98

Day Low$147.48

52W High$156.92

52W Low$77.58

Volume—

Avg Volume11.30M

Market Cap365.54B

P/E Ratio115.20

EPS$1.25

SectorPharmaceuticals

Technical Indicators

Full analysis →

SMA 50 $109.24 Above

SMA 200 $90.33 Above

RSI (14) 79.1 Overbought

Trend Golden Cross Bullish

Analyst Ratings

Buy

36 analysts

26 Buy 10 Hold 0 Sell

Price Target +7.1% upside

Current
$148.78

Target
$159.27

$113.44 $159.27 avg $183.82

Key Financials

	FY 2026	FY 2025	FY 2024
Revenue	63.71B	61.78B	122.92B
Net Income	17.89B	15.61B	17.77B
Profit Margin	28.1%	26.7%	14.5%
EBITDA	23.78B	21.91B	40.31B
Free Cash Flow	—	—	15.03B
Rev Growth	+3.1%	+3.1%	+3.7%
Debt/Equity	0.94	0.94	0.78

Dividend

Dividend Yield2.87%

Annual Dividend$3.27

Payout Ratio44.8%

Frequencyquarterly

Ex-DividendApr 8, 2026

Pay DateApr 21, 2026

Recent Insider Activity

All Insiders →

Date	Insider	Type	Shares	Price	Value
Aug 13	Zachary Jennifer	Exercise	112,391	$117.89	$13.25M
Aug 13	Zachary Jennifer	Exercise	125,824	$84.71	$10.66M
Aug 13	Zachary Jennifer	Sale	45,509	$133.46	$6.07M
Aug 13	Zachary Jennifer	Exercise	0	$0.00	—
Aug 13	Guindo Chirfi	Sale	36,613	$135.00	$4.94M

About Merck & Co. Inc.

Merck & Co. Inc., headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, is a leading global pharmaceutical company discovering, developing, and manufacturing medicines and vaccines. The company focuses on oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, and other therapeutic areas. Merck is among the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturers and a major player in global healthcare. The company maintains extensive research and development operations worldwide.

Pharmaceuticals Peers

Symbol	Name	Price	Change	P/E	Mkt Cap
LLY	Eli Lilly and Co.	$1,183.46	+0.13%	41.5	1.11T
JNJ	Johnson & Johnson	$271.22	+0.20%	31.0	651.46B
PFE	Pfizer Inc.	$28.67	+0.92%	37.3	161.81B
BMY	Bristol-Myers Squibb Co	$62.86	+2.21%	13.7	126.68B
ZTS	Zoetis Inc	$71.05	+1.11%	11.1	29.08B
RPRX	Royalty Pharma Plc- Cl A	$58.21	-0.14%	41.1	33.47B

MRK Frequently Asked Questions

What does Merck & Co. do?

Merck generates revenue from blockbuster prescription drugs led by Keytruda, a cancer immunotherapy that accounts for a substantial portion of sales. The company also produces vaccines (including Gardasil for HPV), treatments for diabetes and infectious diseases, and animal health products. Merck's research pipeline focuses on oncology, immunology, and vaccines, with revenue driven by patent-protected pharmaceuticals sold globally to healthcare providers and governments.

Is MRK stock a good investment?

Merck offers investors exposure to Keytruda's continued growth, which drives strong revenue expansion and profitability with operating margins above 30%. The company faces patent cliff risks as Keytruda loses exclusivity in the early 2030s, making pipeline success critical. Valuation is moderate with a reasonable P/E ratio, and the 3% dividend yield provides income. Suitable for investors seeking pharmaceutical exposure with a mix of growth and income.

Who are Merck & Co.'s main competitors?

Pfizer competes across oncology, vaccines, and primary care drugs, Bristol Myers Squibb rivals Merck in cancer immunotherapy with Opdivo, while Johnson & Johnson competes in pharmaceuticals and vaccines. AstraZeneca and Roche also challenge Merck in oncology markets, where immunotherapy treatments command premium pricing and drive industry profitability.

Does Merck & Co. pay dividends?

Merck has paid consecutive quarterly dividends for over 40 years and maintains a moderate payout ratio that balances shareholder returns with R&D investment. The company typically yields around 3% and has demonstrated commitment to annual dividend growth. Strong cash flow from Keytruda and other established drugs supports the dividend policy, though future increases depend on pipeline success as key patents expire.

Where is MRK trading today?

MRK last closed at $148.78, up 0.54% in the most recent trading session. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between a low of $77.58 and a high of $156.92. The current price represents 90% of its 52-week range, which helps investors gauge where the stock sits relative to its recent trading history.

What are analyst ratings for MRK stock?

Among 36 analysts covering MRK, the consensus rating is Buy — 26 rate it a buy, 10 hold, and 0 sell. The average price target sits at $159.27, implying 7% upside from the current price. Keep in mind that analyst targets reflect 12-month expectations and can shift quickly after earnings reports or major company events.

How much revenue does Merck & Co. Inc. generate?

Merck & Co. Inc. generated $63.71B in revenue during fiscal year 2026, with $17.89B reaching the bottom line as net income. The net profit margin of 28.1% is strong by most industry standards.

What is the price-to-earnings ratio for MRK?

MRK trades at a P/E ratio of 115.20 on trailing earnings of $1.25 per share. That's well above the S&P 500 historical average of ~20-25x, which typically signals that investors are pricing in aggressive future growth. Comparing this multiple against Pharmaceuticals sector peers gives better context than the broad market alone, since P/E norms vary significantly across industries.

How has MRK performed compared to last year?

Performance varies across timeframes, reflecting shifting market conditions. Returns by timeframe: +89.38% (1Y), +39.77% (YTD). Comparing these figures against the S&P 500 and sector benchmarks helps determine whether MRK is outperforming or lagging the broader market.