Merck & Company (MRK) Buy, Sell or Hold

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Merck & Company (MRK)

152.55

+3.56 (2.39%)

as of Aug 21, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.

311 watching

Investor Insights

Aug 22, 2026, 12:00 am

This 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.

Consensus

positive

Valuation

fair value

Similar

Pfeizer, PFE

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TOP PICK

The pandemic casued a decline in the use of their drugs in hospitals. This should return eventually. The new anti-covid pill is also a short-term win. Social media mentions are up 467% in the last 24 hours.

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)

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.

BUY

MRK vs. ABT Both are great companies. ABT is the leading supplier of glasswork to the medical industry. Merck has incredible products as a global pharmaceutical company. You could buy either one.

WATCH

They have an analyst meeting on Monday. Watch that, because they reported ugly numbers earlier this week.

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly MRK returns as a TOP PICK. Trading at 17 times earnings, compared with its peers at 40x it is good value here. It pays an excellent dividend, backed by payout ratio of only 50% of cash flow. We would buy it here with a stop-loss at $65, looking to achieve $96 -- upside potential of 23%. Yield 3.36% (Analysts’ price target is $96.33)

DON'T BUY

Like BMY, nobody wants these drug stocks now. The reopening trade is a headwind. The economy will reopen, so investors think they don't need a drink stock, no matter how well that stock is performing.

BUY

It's a bellwhether pharamceutical, but he doesn't like this space because drug patents constantly expire under given patent law. Merck is getting interesting, partially because of valuation around 12x PE. Also, because their franchise drug is an oncology drug that doesn't come off patent until 2026. It pays a good dividend. It's become more interesting because the PE has declined.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Jan 30/20, Down 1%) Still likes. Continues to buy. Discount to other big pharma. Cancer drugs are very high margin. Pandemic has spurred pharma sales. Will benefit as life returns to normal. Yield is 3.1%.

SELL

All big pharmas have been treading water. Patent legislation has left them with a leaky boat. He's gravitated toward the bio-pharmas. His favourite in that space is AbbVie, as it's good on fundamentals and financials, inexpensive, very fine dividend, great cashflow generator.

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Sep 29/20, Down 5.9%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly We are recommending to cover MRK as it has violated our stop-loss. We are going to look for better opportunities.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Oct 24/19, Down 2%) Healthcare is a resilient sector, not cyclical. Strong in oncology space. Pandemic has crimped pharma sales, especially from hospitals. Shares are cheap, 9% earnings growth rate, dividend over 3%.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Jul 17/19, Down 4%) Still likes this diversified large-cap biopharma. Has a great diabetes franchise, though little growth, but they rely on an immunotherapy franchise (a cancer treatment)--they've done great execution here over the past 6 years.

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Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK

Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly MRK is one of the largest pharma companies in the world. It trades at a 13 PE compared to 22 PE for the S&P500. The pandemic has slowed some elective procedures, and that has slowed sales in the latest quarter by about 9%. However, management still opted to raise its 2020 guidance showing confidence that things should improve for the balance of the year. The company also has three drugs moving through various COVID-19 vaccine test trials. It pays a good yield, backed by a 58% payout ratio. We would buy this with an upper target towards $96 as the first objective and use $77 as a stop-loss. Yield 2.95% (Analysts’ price target is $95.94)

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Sep 11/19, Up 6%) In his favourite sectors of bio and pharma. Strong in oncology. Diversified pipeline. Trading at a bit of a discount, 15x forward earnings, 2.9% dividend. Compelling story for the dividend and growth in the sector.

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