NYSE:MRK
Merck & Company (MRK)
Financials 
Technical Analysis 
Aug 2, 2026, 12:00 amThis summary was created by AI, based on 23 opinions in the last 12 months.
Merck & Company (MRK) is recognized for its strong performance, particularly bolstered by its cancer treatment drug, Keytruda, which is a significant revenue driver but faces a looming patent cliff. Despite concerns regarding the future of Keytruda, many experts are optimistic about the company's robust drug pipeline and strategic acquisitions that should help mitigate the risks associated with the loss of this key drug. The consensus among analysts suggests solid revenue growth potential, with expectations that the company will release a considerable number of new drugs by 2030. Additionally, Merck is committed to returning capital to shareholders, which includes stock buybacks and steady dividends, positioning the company as a quality investment in the healthcare sector.
Keytruda 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-Womdim;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 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
They have a good pipeline that will help offset the loss of their major Keytruda drug when it goes off-patent. MRK is good at buying and tucking in companies. Their 2025 chart wasn't that great until the end of the year when the sector caught a bid.
Gordon Reid
'%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
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, 23 stock analysts issued a Buy, Sell, or Hold rating on MRK (previously MRK-N on Stockchase). 17 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 2026-07-23. 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 2026-07-31, Merck & Company (MRK) stock closed at a price of $130.20.
'%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 is progressing well. To remain disciplined, we recommend trailing up the stop (from $110) to $121 at this time.