MRK
NYSE · Pharmaceuticals
Merck & Co. Inc.
$111.38
-0.92 (-0.82%)
Performance
1D
—
1W
—
1M
—
3M
-5.33%
6M
+28.39%
1Y
+46.61%
YTD
+4.63%
Open$112.38
Previous Close$112.30
Day High$113.01
Day Low$111.18
52W High$125.14
52W Low$73.31
Volume—
Avg Volume10.15M
Market Cap279.42B
P/E Ratio31.27
EPS$3.55
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
35 analysts
Price Target
+43.0% upside
Current
$111.38
$111.38
Target
$159.27
$159.27
$113.44
$159.27 avg
$183.82
Key Financials
| FY 2026 | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 64.60B | 62.65B | 122.92B |
| Net Income | 18.14B | 15.83B | 17.77B |
| Profit Margin | 28.1% | 26.7% | 14.5% |
| EBITDA | 24.92B | 22.96B | 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 Yield3.11%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | Davis Robert M | Exercise | 456,902 | $110.03 | $50.27M |
| May 1 | Davis Robert M | Exercise | 26,601 | $0.00 | — |
| May 1 | DeLuca Richard R. | Exercise | 162,778 | $110.03 | $17.91M |
| May 1 | DeLuca Richard R. | Exercise | 5,037 | $0.00 | — |
| May 1 | Larson Betty D | Exercise | 8,282 | $110.03 | $911.3K |
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. | $948.45 | -2.72% | 36.1 | 913.24B |
| JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | $221.32 | -0.53% | 26.1 | 548.94B |
| PFE | Pfizer Inc. | $25.68 | -3.02% | 19.3 | 150.09B |
| BMY | Bristol-Myers Squibb Co | $56.16 | -0.16% | 17.0 | 120.08B |
| ZTS | Zoetis Inc | $82.83 | -5.13% | 21.5 | 57.37B |
| RPRX | Royalty Pharma Plc- Cl A | $50.79 | +1.18% | 37.6 | 28.96B |
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 $111.38, down 0.82% in the most recent trading session. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between a low of $73.31 and a high of $125.14. The current price represents 73% 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 35 analysts covering MRK, the consensus rating is Buy — 24 rate it a buy, 11 hold, and 0 sell. The average price target sits at $159.27, implying 43% 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 $64.60B in revenue during fiscal year 2026, with $18.14B 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 31.27 on trailing earnings of $3.55 per share. That's above the S&P 500 historical average, suggesting the market expects above-average earnings growth ahead. 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: -5.33% (3M), +28.39% (6M), +46.61% (1Y), +4.63% (YTD). Comparing these figures against the S&P 500 and sector benchmarks helps determine whether MRK is outperforming or lagging the broader market.