MRK stock forecast: what analysts expect
Wall Street analysts covering Merck & Co., Inc. currently rate the stock a Buy on average, with a mean 12-month price target of $159.76 — +10.0% versus the last price of $145.27. Targets reflect analyst opinion, not a guarantee.
MRK historical returns
Based on monthly dividend-adjusted prices. See the full breakdown on what if you had invested in MRK.
MRK annual returns by year
Congress trading in MRK
41 members of Congress have disclosed trading MRK — 45 purchases and 38 sales worth an estimated $1.4M. Most recent disclosure: Aug 19, 2026.
See who in Congress traded MRK →Insider activity in MRK
MRK's own executives and directors have made 0 open-market purchases ($0) and 17 sales ($30.0M) in the last 90 days, per SEC Form 4 filings. Most recent: Aug 13, 2026.
| Aug 13, 2026 | Guindo Chirfi | EVP, Access, Policy & Comms | Sell | $1.4M |
| Aug 12, 2026 | DeLuca Richard R. | EVP&Pres, Merck Animal Heallth | Sell | $1.5M |
| Aug 12, 2026 | DeLuca Richard R. | EVP&Pres, Merck Animal Heallth | Sell | $79,222 |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Zachary Jennifer | EVP, General Counsel | Sell | $10.7M |
| Aug 11, 2026 | DeLuca Richard R. | EVP&Pres, Merck Animal Heallth | Sell | $973,165 |
About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It offers human health pharmaceutical for various areas under the Keytruda, Keytruda Qlex, Welireg, Gardasil, ProQuad, M-M-R II, Varivax, Vaxneuvance, Capvaxive, RotaTeq, Pneumovax 23, Bridion, Prevymis, Dificid, Zerbaxa, Winrevair, Adempas/ Verquvo, Ohtuvayre, Lagevrio, Isentress/Isentress HD, Delstrigo, Pifeltro, Belsomra, Januvia, and Janumet brands. The company also provides veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services, such as livestock products under the Nuflor, Bovilis/Vista, Bovilis Cryptium, Banamine, Estrumate, Matrix, Resflor, Zuprevo, Revalor, Safe-Guard, M+Pac, Porcilis, Circumvent, Nobilis/Innovax, Paracox and Coccivac, Exzolt, Slice, Imvixa, Clynav, Aquavac/Norvax, Aquaflor, Flexolt brands; Allflex Livestock Intelligence solutions; and companion animal products under the Bravecto One-Month, Bravecto Injectable/Quantum, Bravecto TriUNO, Bravecto Plus, Sentinel Spectrum, Sentinel Flavor Tabs, Numelvi, Optimmune, Nobivac NXT, GilvetMab, Otomax, Mometamax, Mometamax Ultra, Posatex, Caninsulin/Vetsulin, Panacur, Safeguard, Regumate, Prestige, Scalibor/Exspot, Sure Petcare, and Home Again brands. It has development and commercialization agreement for three of Daiichi Sankyo's deruxtecan ADC candidates; AstraZeneca PLC to co-development and co-commercialize AstraZeneca's Lynparza products for multiple cancer types; licensed to develop, manufacture and commercialize LM-299, a novel investigational PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody from LaNova; and collaboration agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd., Bayer AG, and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, as well Moderna, Inc. Merck & Co., Inc. has strategic collaboration with Infinimmune, Inc. to discover and develop antibodies against multiple therapeutic targets. The company was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey.
MRK Key Statistics
MRK in plain English
- P/E ratio (117.2) — how many dollars you pay for each $1 of MRK's yearly profit. That's high, so the market expects strong growth (and you're paying up for it).
- ROE (6.96%) — how efficiently the company turns shareholders' money into profit. This is a middling level.
- Profit margin (4.77%) — of every $1 in sales, this is what's left as profit after all costs.
- Dividend yield (2.34%) — the cash payout you'd earn per year as a % of the share price, on top of any price gains.
MRK stock: frequently asked questions
What is Merck & Co., Inc.'s stock price today?
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) last traded at $145.27 on the NYSE. Over the past 52 weeks the stock has traded between $82.01 and $156.92.
Is MRK stock a buy or a sell?
Wall Street analysts' consensus rating on MRK is "Buy", with an average 12-month price target of $159.76 — about +10.0% versus the current price of $145.27. Analyst targets are opinions, not guarantees; always do your own research.
How much would $1,000 invested in MRK 10 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Merck & Co., Inc. made 10 years ago would be worth about $3,518 today (dividends reinvested) — a total return of 252%, or 13.4% per year.
Does MRK pay a dividend?
Yes. Merck & Co., Inc. currently pays a dividend yielding about 2.34% per year at today's share price.
What is MRK's P/E ratio?
MRK trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 117.2, and 15.7 times expected forward earnings. The P/E ratio tells you how many dollars investors pay for each $1 of the company's annual profit.
Do members of Congress trade MRK stock?
Yes — 41 members of Congress have disclosed trades in MRK under the STOCK Act, totaling 45 purchases and 38 sales worth an estimated $1.4M.
What is Merck & Co., Inc.'s ticker symbol?
Merck & Co., Inc. trades under the ticker symbol MRK on the NYSE.
Compare MRK with peers
Data last refreshed from public sources. Figures may be delayed. Not investment advice.