Merck & Company (MRK) Buy, Sell or Hold

Home

Daily Stock Opinions and Ratings

Merck & Company (MRK)

124.03

+0.49 (0.40%)

as of Jul 13, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.

311 watching

Investor Insights

Jul 13, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 22 opinions in the last 12 months.

Merck & Company (MRK) is regarded as a strong investment opportunity, primarily due to its robust drug pipeline and significant growth potential despite challenges with its blockbuster drug, Keytruda, which is set to go off-patent in 2028. Analysts highlight the company's anticipated increase in sales, particularly from Keytruda and other new drugs in development. While some concerns exist regarding market fluctuations and pricing clarity, a substantial number of experts maintain an optimistic outlook on the stock's performance. With a promising array of drugs poised for release by 2030 and solid financial metrics, including rising cash reserves and share buybacks, MRK is projected to see continued growth, making it a compelling choice for healthcare investors. Expert recommendations suggest a prudent approach to stop-loss levels and target price adjustments.

Consensus

Bullish

Valuation

Undervalued

Similar

Pfeizer, PFE

DON'T BUY

Pfizer (PFE-N) and Merck (MRK-N) are pretty fully priced at current levels. Growth prospects are not that great, especially with a lot of drugs coming off patent. Multiple looks attractive and dividend looks okay but there are better places to go in pharmaceuticals. Prefers Abbott Labs (ABT-N).

BUY

Large-cap pharmaceuticals are probably the best valuation out there. Their recent merger is all done. An excellent buy at this level.

DON'T BUY

Patent expirations is a problem with all Pharma plays and pure pharmaceuticals are in a difficult position.

COMMENT

Dividend of around 5%. Cash rich so not concerned about a short-term cash burn. The rate of drugs that big pharma can bring to market is slowing down. Could be $36 in 12 months but if you're not happy with that you should look elsewhere.

SELL

Finalizing the merger with Schering-Plough (SGP-N). Good dividend yield and low PE ratio, which is a value trap because of huge headwinds ahead of them as drugs go off patent protection. Growth will be difficult. Prefers Johnson & Johnson (JNJ-N) because of the medical devices and consumer healthcare. Also Abbott Labs (ABT-N) would be another consideration.

COMMENT

Pharmaceutical. More disciplined approach so they've been generating very strong free cash flow. A couple of their strong drugs will be coming off patent in a couple of years. In the process of merging with Schering-Plough (SGP-N). If you were going to pick a name, he would prefer Abbott (ABT-N). 5% dividend yield.

TOP PICK

Merging with Schering-Plough (SGP-N). Combination will create a very strong pipeline of products, which for many years will have a good growth profile. It will merge short to mid cycle products with longer-term type products and thinks there are significant synergy type benefits. You could also own Schering-Plough, which is a discounted way of playing this. (See also SGP-N.)

DON'T BUY

Has opportunities as a defensive stock. There is significant government regulation coming. There will likely be price controls. There is some risk. Might buy for the dividend.

BUY

Prefers Pfizer (PFE-N) even though in the near term this company has outperformed them. If you are looking to own a pharmaceutical, this is a fine name.

DON'T BUY

Model price is $48.07, a negative 7.5% differential.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Sept 13/06. Up 7.3%.) Pharmaceutical stocks fit in the theme of large cap capital growth. Expect this to be a good stock this year without a lot of risk.

TOP PICK

The company went through a lot of bad news over the last four months but in the last 3 quarters there has been a re-acceleration in their growth rate. Trades at a very reasonable multiple.

WEAK BUY

Likes the sector. The names have been incredibly punished in the last few years. They still look cheap. This one had additional problems with Viox, but is recovering nicely. Wouldn't be his first pick.

BUY

All the major drug stocks are starting to act better. In this type of market, money moves from risky stocks to defensive stocks. A good place to be.

BUY

Great dividend yield. Probably one of the worst performing sectors in the S&P. Lots of cost cutting opportunities. Trading at around 8/9 X earnings. Pristine balance sheet.

Showing 211 to 225 of 305 entries

Most Recent Experts

Jim Cramer - Mad Money

CNBC

Larry Berman CFA, CMT, CTA

ETF Capital Management Inc.

Dan Rohinton

iA Global Asset Management

Stephen Weiss, Founder, Short Hills Capital Partners

Short Hills Capital Partners

Jenny Harrington, CEO, Gilman Hill Asset Management

Gilman Hill Asset Management

Wealthica The ultimate 360° Tracker Your financial life in one place, automatically

Stockchase, in its reporting on what has been discussed by individuals on business television programs (in particular Business News Network), neither recommends nor promotes any investment strategies.

We paraphrase the experts by hand, we watch the shows and write down what we understood from the experts’ comments. We are human and can make mistakes, help us fix any errors. If you see something that you know is not right or if there is a problem with the site, feel free to email us at : [email protected].

Merck & Company (MRK)