Merck & Co.
NASDAQ: MRKKey stats
Price chart
About Merck & Co.
Pharmaceuticals
Company profile
- IPO date
- Jan 1, 1941
- Website
- www.merck.com
Healthcare peers
How MRK compares to other large companies in the same sector.
| Company | Price | Today | Market cap | P/E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 LLY Eli Lilly and Company | $939.49 | -1.64% | $887.63B | 43.01 |
 JNJ Johnson & Johnson | $238.48 | -1.17% | $574.36B | 21.43 |
 ABBV AbbVie Inc. | $207.96 | -2.09% | $367.80B | 87.03 |
 UNH UnitedHealth Group | $304.35 | -0.83% | $276.23B | 22.91 |
 PFE Pfizer Inc. | $26.93 | -1.07% | $153.07B | 19.70 |
Wall Street analyst ratings
DollarScout analysis
Editorial, not advice. See our methodology.
Bull case
Merck & Co. maintains a competitive moat with its leading pharmaceuticals, notably the success of Keytruda in oncology. The drug is a significant growth driver, contributing heavily to revenue, and further oncology innovations are expected to maintain this momentum. Merck's strategic acquisitions enhance its pipeline, positioning it for sustained growth. With a relatively low P/E ratio of 16.45 for the sector, MRK offers potential value for long-term investors. Additionally, its 2.7235% dividend yield adds an appeal for income-focused portfolios. With a beta of 0.2966, MRK exhibits lower volatility, which is attractive in an uncertain market environment.
Bear case
The pharmaceutical industry is fraught with risks, including regulatory hurdles and drug approval uncertainties. Despite Merck's current success, competition from biotech firms and other pharmaceutical giants remains fierce, potentially impacting future sales of key drugs like Keytruda. The company's reliance on a few blockbuster drugs presents a concentration risk, and failure in clinical trials could significantly hit its stock. Current valuation, while lower than some peers, still reflects optimism that could be dampened by unfavorable trial results or policy changes. Furthermore, macroeconomic factors such as rising interest rates could negatively affect the stock price, squeezing margins in the long term.
Who should buy MRK
Merck is ideally suited for conservative investors looking for a blend of income and growth in the healthcare sector. It's attractive for long-term dividend investors with a moderate risk tolerance, seeking stability and moderate capital appreciation over a 5-10 year horizon.
Key risks
- Significant dependency on revenue from a small number of drugs, notably Keytruda. - Regulatory and policy changes affecting drug approval and pricing. - Increased competition from small biotech firms and big pharma companies. - Economic downturns or interest rate hikes negatively impacting stock performance.
Where to buy MRK
Open an account with a broker we've reviewed and start trading Merck & Co. today.
Want to practice first? Try the free Stock Trading Simulator with $100,000 virtual cash.
Recent MRK news
Merck (NYSE:MRK) received expanded EU approval for KEYTRUDA-based regimens in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, making it the first and only PD-1 inhibitor option in this setting. The approval broadens KEYTRUDA's treatment reach in Europe, adding a new group of eligible ovarian cancer patients. Separately, Merck reported strong Phase 3 results for enlicitide decanoate in LDL cholesterol lowering. The company is preparing a near-term FDA priority review filing for enlicitide decanoate. For...
Organon & Co. (NYSE:OGN) is one of the 10 Stocks Powering Portfolios by Double Digits. Organon surged by 38.8 percent week-on-week, as investors gobbled up shares following reports that it is set to be acquired by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries for $12 billion. According to a report by India-based The Economic Times, Sun Pharmaceutical submitted an […]
Companies have long lamented Europe's fragmented capital markets, single-market adoption on pricing and clinical trials, and uneven reimbursement policies.
BMY stock jumps 10% in a month as growth drugs power revenues, but generic erosion and 2026 sales outlook keep investors cautious.
ALBANY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2026 / Radiant Journey LLC has announced the expansion of its leadership coaching practice serving scientists and engineers in management roles at organizations including NASA, Merck, and Estée Lauder. Founded ...
Organon stock jumped after a report said Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is nearing an all-cash deal for the women’s health company.
Former Sen. Ben Sasse is taking Revolution Medicines' daraxonrasib, which has shown promise as a treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Here are the names making headlines in midday trading.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. DollarScout does not recommend buying or selling any specific security. Stock data may be delayed. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.