Summer Sale
50% off Premium Yearly
NYSE:MRK
Merck & Company (MRK)
Financials 
Technical Analysis 
Aug 22, 2026, 12:00 amThis summary was created by AI, based on 25 opinions in the last 12 months.
Merck & Company (MRK) remains a focal point in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly due to its leading cancer treatment drug, Keytruda, which accounts for a significant portion of its revenue but faces a patent expiration in 2028. Experts note that while revenue growth has been modest in the past few years, recent breakthroughs in cancer trials have generated optimism for the company's potential future. There is a general recognition of Merck's strong pipeline of upcoming drugs, which could help offset the revenue decline anticipated from Keytruda going off-patent. Several experts have recommended strict stop-loss strategies to protect investments while pursuing gains, emphasizing a balance of growth potential and valuation concerns. Overall, the sentiment leans towards cautious optimism as analysts grapple with Merck's future amidst challenges and opportunities.
He hopes the good news (melanoma treatment) is the start of a wave of drugs to tackle cancer. Keytruda could be extended beyond 2028 (when it goes off patent) if it holds other uses. This is a huge day for society.
Kevin Simpson
;fill-opacity:1;'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M31%2018.6001V30H8V18.6001L14.1334%2022.4334L19.4999%2014L24.8669%2022.4334L31%2018.6001Z'%20fill='%23EE5432'%20style='fill:%23EE5432;fill:color(display-p3%200.9340%200.3310%200.1956);fill-opacity:1;'/%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
Premium contentKeytruda makes up half of sales, which makes the market nervous, because the drug faces a patent cliff in a few years. Their pipeline is deep, and the acquisitions they made will replenish that pipeline. Even when it goes off-patent, Keytruda will remain a preferred drug by doctors.
Julien Nono-WomdimPremium contentWe reiterate MRK as a TOP PICK. Sales of its top cancer treatment drug, which accounts for the marjority of its revenues, is expected to more than triple its current $8 billion sales by 2028 and it has a long pipeline of new drugs, with plans to release over 20 by 2030. It trades at 23x earnings and supports a ROE of 27%. Cash reserves are growing, while shares are bought back, albeit with an increase in debt. We continue to recommend a stop at $110, looking to achieve $143 -- upside potential of 18%. Yield 2.7%
(Analysts’ price target is $131.56)Today's downward move isn't all that outsized. There's been more clarity on US drug pricing. Seeing a bit of market exhaustion, as US pharma is trading at huge premiums relative to their own history.
Rerating from pricing clarity has already been baked in. R&D pipeline in the sector is a mixed bag, doesn't trust it.
He bought it for their strong drug pipeline and is happy to stay here.
Gordon ReidOne of her holdings in the space. This higher-quality name has both growth and less execution risk.
Brianne Gardner
Premium contentPharmas are coming back. Political policy is improving. Keytruda makes up a lot of revenues but faces a patent cliff in 2028. But MRK has invested a lot in new drugs and been buying companies strategically.
(Analysts’ price target is $123.89)Julien Nono-WomdimPremium content
'%20fill='%23ffffff'%3e%3cg%20id='Pager'%20transform='translate(423.000000,%201755.000000)'%3e%3cpath%20d='M243.295367,17.286474%20C243.68919,16.9045087%20244.327703,16.9045087%20244.721525,17.286474%20L249,21.4361302%20L253.278475,17.286474%20C253.672297,16.9045087%20254.31081,16.9045087%20254.704633,17.286474%20C255.098456,17.6684393%20255.098456,18.2877274%20254.704633,18.6696927%20L249.35654,23.856763%20C249.159628,24.0477457%20248.840372,24.0477457%20248.64346,23.856763%20L243.295367,18.6696927%20C242.901544,18.2877274%20242.901544,17.6684393%20243.295367,17.286474%20Z'%20id='Path'%20transform='translate(249.000000,%2020.500000)%20rotate(-90.000000)%20translate(-249.000000,%20-20.500000)%20'%3e%3c/path%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Popular Articles
Most Recent Experts
Merck & Company (MRK) Frequently Asked Questions
What is Merck & Company stock symbol?
Merck & Company is a American stock, trading under the symbol MRK (previously MRK-N on Stockchase) on the New York Stock Exchange (MRK). It is usually referred to as NYSE:MRK or MRK
Is Merck & Company a buy or a sell?
In the last year, 25 stock analysts issued a Buy, Sell, or Hold rating on MRK (previously MRK-N on Stockchase). 19 analysts recommended to BUY and 3 analysts recommended to SELL the stock. The latest stock analyst rating is PAST TOP PICK. Read the latest stock experts' ratings for Merck & Company.
Is Merck & Company a good investment or a top pick?
Merck & Company was recommended as a Top Pick by The Panic-Proof Portfolio (Stockchase Research) on 2026-08-20. Read the latest stock experts ratings for Merck & Company.
Why is Merck & Company stock dropping?
Earnings reports or recent company news can cause the stock price to drop. Read stock experts' recommendations for Merck & Company.
Is Merck & Company worth watching?
Merck & Company is followed by 311 investors on Stockchase and is a trending stock that is worth watching.
What is Merck & Company stock price?
On 2026-08-21, Merck & Company (MRK) stock closed at a price of $152.55.
'%20fill='%23FFB800'%3e%3cg%20id='filled-.-button'%20transform='translate(120.000000,%20413.999972)'%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.499729,2.82302245e-05%20C102.285413,-0.00432461793%20103.254164,0.496634241%20103.645655,1.25173399%20L103.712109,1.39623206%20L105.747863,6.45331817%20L111.028779,6.80428588%20C111.60867,6.84282525%20112.147242,7.1236355%20112.517275,7.58038413%20C113.223405,8.45199453%20113.142035,9.72214747%20112.357105,10.4940033%20L112.234099,10.6059323%20L108.072656,14.10894%20L109.356339,19.592529%20C109.472157,20.0872738%20109.394126,20.6085551%20109.13883,21.0455786%20C108.624329,21.9263208%20107.536956,22.2447485%20106.649713,21.8010736%20L106.511398,21.7246573%20L101.5,18.7715858%20L96.4886024,21.7246573%20C95.5790916,22.2767096%2094.4027498,21.9726757%2093.8611695,21.0455786%20C93.6058745,20.6085551%2093.5278433,20.0872738%2093.6436608,19.592529%20L94.9273443,14.10894%20L90.7659013,10.6059323%20C89.8680707,9.85015912%2089.7412886,8.49557505%2090.4827254,7.58038413%20C90.8527577,7.1236355%2091.39133,6.84282525%2091.9712215,6.80428588%20L97.2521374,6.45331817%20L99.2878908,1.39623206%20C99.6240254,0.561228427%20100.665516,-0.00460395016%20101.499729,2.82302245e-05%20Z'%20id='top-picks-.-icon-copy-7'%3e%3c/path%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
'%3e%3cg%20id='filled-.-button'%20transform='translate(120.000000,%20413.999944)'%3e%3cg%20id='Group-8'%20transform='translate(90.000000,%200.000000)'%3e%3cpath%20d='M11.4997292,5.58581788e-05%20C12.2854126,-0.00429698998%2013.2541635,0.496661868%2013.6456551,1.25176162%20L13.7121092,1.39625969%20L15.7478626,6.4533458%20L21.0287785,6.8043135%20C21.60867,6.84285288%2022.1472423,7.12366313%2022.5172746,7.58041175%20C23.2234049,8.45202216%2023.142035,9.7221751%2022.3571045,10.4940309%20L22.2340987,10.60596%20L18.0726557,14.1089676%20L19.3563392,19.5925566%20C19.4721567,20.0873014%2019.3941255,20.6085828%2019.1388305,21.0456062%20C18.6243292,21.9263484%2017.5369557,22.2447761%2016.6497127,21.8011012%20L16.5113976,21.7246849%20L11.5,18.7716134%20L6.48860242,21.7246849%20C5.5790916,22.2767372%204.40274983,21.9727033%203.86116953,21.0456062%20C3.60587449,20.6085828%203.52784326,20.0873014%203.64366079,19.5925566%20L4.9273443,14.1089676%20L0.76590125,10.60596%20C-0.13192926,9.85018675%20-0.258711404,8.49560268%200.482725407,7.58041175%20C0.85275775,7.12366313%201.39132997,6.84285288%201.97122149,6.8043135%20L7.25213737,6.4533458%20L9.28789079,1.39625969%20C9.62402537,0.561256055%2010.6655161,-0.00457632221%2011.4997292,5.58581788e-05%20Z'%20id='top-picks-.-icon-copy-7'%20fill='%23FFB800'%3e%3c/path%3e%3cpath%20d='M11.4997292,2.77818228e-05%20C12.2854126,-0.00429698998%2013.2541635,0.496661868%2013.6456551,1.25176162%20L13.7121092,1.39625969%20L15.7478626,6.4533458%20L21.0287785,6.8043135%20C21.60867,6.84285288%2022.1472423,7.12366313%2022.5172746,7.58041175%20C23.2234049,8.45202216%2023.142035,9.7221751%2022.3571045,10.4940309%20L22.2340987,10.60596%20L18.0726557,14.1089676%20L19.3563392,19.5925566%20C19.4721567,20.0873014%2019.3941255,20.6085828%2019.1388305,21.0456062%20C18.6243292,21.9263484%2017.5369557,22.2447761%2016.6497127,21.8011012%20L16.5113976,21.7246849%20L11.5,18.7716134%20C11.4998195,6.25722299%2011.4997292,2.77818228e-05%2011.4997292,2.77818228e-05%20Z'%20id='top-picks-.-icon-copy-8'%20fill='%23EAEAEA'%3e%3c/path%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
Our PAST TOP PICK with MRK has achieved its target at $143. To remain disciplined, we recommend covering half the position at this time and trailing up the stop (from $121) to $134.