Merck & Company (MRK) Buy, Sell or Hold

Merck & Company (MRK)

143.93

-0.78 (0.54%)

as of Sep 11, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.

311 watching

DON'T BUY

Drugs are coming off-patent, so they bought a biotech at a big price to get that drug pipeline growth. Wait and see if that pipeline works.

BUY

Just announced that Merck will buy Prometheus Biosciences for $10.8 billion. He's been keen on Prometheus ever since they announced phase-2 results of their main drug drug, which treats inflammatory bowel disease. Merck is eager to diversify away from their anti-cancer drug. PB has almost no revenues, but he feels this will be one of the greatest buys in pharma history.

HOLD

Does not own shares in the company at this time.
Prefers other companies in the sector.
Trading at 16x earnings.
Current share price could be good price to buy depending on knowledge of the company.

STRONG BUY

He's been recommending this for 15 minutes. Has the most confidence in this name. They reported positive results on their cholesterol pill this morning. Strong technicals, too.

HOLD

Reasonable multiple. Has one of the great oncology drugs of all time, Keytruda.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Jul 15/22, Up 19%) Defensive. Great pipeline. Best in class in pharma/healthcare.

HOLD

Sell PFE to buy MRK? Likes and owns them both. MRK is more in the immuno oncology and cancer space, whereas PFE is more diversified. Defensive and growth characteristics. MRK hit a new high today. PFE hasn't done as well, but has performed over the last 2 years. Own both for different reasons. May want to trim in early part of next cycle. Yield is 2.6%.

BUY

Allan Tong’s Discover Picks Merck is definitely on an uptrend, breaking past $100 as October ends to establish new 52-week highs. The stock’s catalyst was its sterling Q3 report last week where it beat earnings and revenues and upgraded its forecast. Year-over-year, earnings were up 4% (7% if you exclude the impact of the strong USD) and revenues rose 14% (18% considering currency). Drivers were strong sales of Merck’s cancer drugs and many vaccines. The pharmaceutical side boasted a 13% hike in sales YOY. Merck’s key drug, Keytruda, saw sales jump 20%. One of the new weaknesses in Merck was its animal health business where the strong greenback depressed sales by 3%. Read 3 Must Have Safe Stocks to Play Defensive for our full analysis.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Oct 21/21, Up 25%) Broken out to new highs. Yield is 2.8%, which should grow 8-9% over next few years. Well-positioned in immune oncology. Strong drug pipeline.

BUY

Their report won't disrupt their momentum. The stock is breaking out now to $100. He's maintaining his position. One of his favourite names.

Premium content

It's a Monthly Gems opinion which is available only for Stockchase Premium

Curated by Allan Tong since 2019.
99+ opinions with 4.15 rating.

TOP PICK

Some concrete good news: Recently, Merck won a patent infringement suit against Viatris that will prevent the drugs Januvia and Janumet from seeing generic versions until May 2026.
As you watch the trial results of these various drugs, you will collect a 3.18% dividend yield and sleep well at a 0.34 beta. The street has 10 buys, two holds and a $100.64 price target.

BUY

Has owned this since the mid-$80s. It offers the perfect blend of offence and defence perfectly. Investors have ignored this, but boasts a 20% a valuation discount to the S&P. You must be defensive, and Merck is a leader in healthcare.

HOLD

When you're looking at pharma companies, you want to see the breadth of drugs that are in the pipeline, and any blockbuster drugs in there. You're also looking for dividends. Yield is 3.17%.

HOLD

Company is on watch list. Does not own shares. Current share price target on the street is ~$100. Is cheaper valued than rest of the market (12x earnings). Has lower patent rate than competitors.

TOP PICK

Acquisition from last year has expanded product offering. Covid-19 pandemic was hard on company, but is recovering now. Company is a defensive name as drug prices are inelastic (medications are hard to give up). Strong cash flow and dividend.

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Merck & Company (MRK)