NYSE:MRK
Merck & Company (MRK)
130.20
+0.41 (0.32%)
as of Jul 31, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
311 watching
Financials 
Technical Analysis 0
Investor Insights
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.
Consensus
Positive
Valuation
Undervalued
Similar
Pfizer, PFE
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 08/20, Up 36%) Loves it. A bit pricey here. Model price of $122.65, a 31% upside. In bear markets, people go for predictable earnings. Good bear market stock. Wait for a pullback to buy, under $70. Over 3% yield.
Brian Acker, CAOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
;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 contentPAST TOP PICK
TOP PICK
Growth focused, but a real business. Safety. Second-largest in animal health, diversified oncology. Visibility and pricing power. Roche's miss in immunotherapy reinforces MRK's leadership position in that area. Not expensive. 13x earnings for near double-digit EPS growth. Yield is 3.09%. (Analysts’ price target is $96.34)
Paul MacDonaldOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
TOP PICK
Their major drug in oncology treats cancer and will earn $18 billion in revenue this year. Trades at 12x earnings and pays a large dividend. MRK has a strong balance sheet, their drug pipeline promises future growth, their balance sheet is strong, and they can resist hot inflation. (Analysts’ price target is $96.34)
Gordon ReidOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
BUY
He's long this. You're finally getting a technical breakout. The stock is at the highest levels of the year. Take advantage of the valuation discount for the healthcare sector compared to the S&P.
Joe TerranovaOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
Premium contentTOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O’Reilly With several developmental cancer drugs continuing to make good progress, we again reiterate this $195 billion marketcap global drug manufacturer as a TOP PICK. Recently reported earnings beat expectations by over 20% and the company is managing a ROE over 45%. Trading at 16x forward earnings, compared with its peers at 21x, it is good value here. It pays a good dividend, backed by payout ratio under 55% of cash flow. We recommend trailing up the stop (from $70) to $74, looking to achieve $92.50 -- upside potential of 15%. Yield 3.4% (Analysts’ price target is $92.38)
biotechnologypharmaceutical
HOLD
Good large cap with reasonable growth. Really likes its diversity. Oncology, diabetes, immunology, globally #2 in animal health. Competition from BMY and LLY. Lacklustre R&D. Happy to hold through the volatility.
Paul MacDonaldOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
Premium contentTOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly This $195 billion marketcap global drug manufacturer has just received FDA emergency approval for an oral COVID-19 treatment and is reiterated as a TOP PICK. Japan just committed to 200,000 doses of the new pill. Trading at 11x forward earnings, compared with its peers at 19x, it is good value here. It pays an excellent dividend, backed by payout ratio under 50% of forward cash flow. We recommend trailing up the stop (from $65) to $70, looking to achieve $92.50 -- upside potential of 19%. Yield 3.59% (Analysts’ price target is $92.31)
biotechnologypharmaceutical
Premium contentTOP PICK
TOP PICK
A laggard, as pandemic caused a decline in its drugs used in hospitals. This demand will eventually return. Demand for new anti-Covid pill will be a short-term winner. Decently valued. Yield is 3.23%. (Analysts’ price target is $94.82)
Stan WongOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
BUY
Today, Merck may have beaten Covid. That's why the market rallied today. Today had nothing to do with inflation or supply shortages. If you take this pill after testing positive for Covid, the pill can save you and crush symptoms. Merck can produce 10 million course of these pills by year's end. No wonder Merck shares surged nearly 9% today. Industrials and delivery stocks could be worth buying now.
biotechnologypharmaceutical
'%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)%20scale(-1,%201)%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)
'%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)
