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Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) Stock

Merck & Co. Inc. Stock Details, Movements and Public Alerts

Stock Details

Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK), a prominent company in the life sciences sector within the pharmaceutical preparations industry, is based in USA and primarily trades on the NYSE.Currently, the stock is trading at $84.74. Over the past 52 weeks, it has ranged between $72.58 and $123.81. This places the current price at 68.4% of its 52-week high and 16.8% above its 52-week low. Recent trading volume was recorded at 10,058,752. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 61.64, suggesting neutral conditions. The stock is currently trading above its 50-day moving average of $79.42 by 6.70%. Similarly, it is below its 200-day moving average of $89.38 by 5.19%. The MACD histogram is 0.15, indicating bullish momentum (MACD Line: 0.94, Signal Line: 0.79). The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) for this stock is US58933Y1055. There is currently 1 active alert set for MRK by users.

Market Cap

$198.62B

52-Week High

$123.81

-31.56% from high

52-Week Low

$72.58

+16.75% from low

Avg Daily Volume

16,072,050

100-day average

Fundamentals

Valuation Metrics

P/E Ratio (TTM)

11.50

Below market average

Forward P/E

8.85

Earnings expected to grow

PEG Ratio

0.72

Potentially undervalued

Price to Book

4.11

EV/EBITDA

8.60

EPS (TTM)

$6.88

Price to Sales

3.11

Beta

0.40

Less volatile than market

How is MRK valued relative to its earnings and growth?
Merck & Co. Inc. trades at a P/E ratio of 11.50, which is below the market average of approximately 20. This lower valuation could indicate the market has modest growth expectations, or it might represent an undervalued opportunity if the fundamentals are strong. Looking ahead, the forward P/E of 8.85 is lower than the current P/E, indicating analysts expect earnings to grow over the next year. The PEG ratio of 0.72 suggests the stock may be undervalued relative to its growth rate.
What is MRK's risk profile compared to the market?
With a beta of 0.40, Merck & Co. Inc. is less volatile than the overall market. This means when the market moves up or down by 10%, this stock typically moves less than 10% in the same direction. Lower beta stocks are often preferred by conservative investors seeking stability. The price-to-book ratio of 4.11 shows investors value the company above its book value, which often reflects intangible assets or growth prospects.

Performance & Growth

Profit Margin

27.30%

Operating Margin

40.10%

Return on Equity

39.30%

Return on Assets

13.80%

Revenue Growth (YoY)

-1.60%

Earnings Growth (YoY)

7.50%

How profitable and efficient is MRK's business model?
Merck & Co. Inc. achieves a profit margin of 27.30%, meaning it retains $27.30 from every $100 in revenue after all expenses. This is an impressive margin, indicating strong pricing power and efficient cost management that allows the company to generate substantial profits. The operating margin of 40.10% reveals how efficiently the company runs its core business operations before interest and taxes. With ROE at 39.30% and ROA at 13.80%, the company generates strong returns on invested capital.
What are MRK's recent growth trends?
Merck & Co. Inc.'s revenue declined by 1.60% year-over-year, indicating challenges in maintaining sales momentum. This contraction may reflect market headwinds, competitive pressures, or strategic transitions. Earnings increased by 7.50% year-over-year, outpacing revenue growth through improved margins. These growth metrics should be evaluated against PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS industry averages for proper context.

Dividend Information

Dividend Per Share

$3.12

Dividend Yield

4.10%

Ex-Dividend Date

6/16/2025

Dividend Date

7/8/2025

What dividend income can investors expect from MRK?
Merck & Co. Inc. offers a dividend yield of 4.10%, paying $3.12 per share annually. This high yield exceeds 4%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 average of 1.5-2% and most investment-grade bonds. For income-focused investors, this represents an attractive cash flow opportunity, though high yields sometimes signal market concerns about sustainability. To receive the next dividend, shares must be purchased before the ex-dividend date of 6/16/2025.
How reliable is MRK's dividend for long-term investors?
The dividend sustainability can be assessed through the payout ratio - Merck & Co. Inc. pays $3.12 per share in dividends against earnings of $6.88 per share, resulting in a payout ratio of 45.35%. This balanced payout between 30-60% suggests a sustainable dividend policy that allows both shareholder returns and business reinvestment. The dividend appears well-covered by earnings. The next dividend payment is scheduled for 7/8/2025.

Company Size & Market

Shares Outstanding

2.51B

Book Value/Share

$19.21

Asset Type

Common Stock

What is MRK's market capitalization and position?
Merck & Co. Inc. has a market capitalization of $198.62B, classifying it as a large-cap stock ($10B-$200B). Large-caps are typically industry leaders with established business models, offering a balance of stability and growth potential. They often provide dividend income and are core holdings in institutional portfolios. With 2.51B shares outstanding, the company's ownership is widely distributed. As a major player in the PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS industry, it competes with other firms in this sector.
How does MRK's price compare to its book value?
Merck & Co. Inc.'s book value per share is $19.21, while the current stock price is $84.74, resulting in a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 4.41. This high P/B ratio indicates significant intangible assets, strong brand value, or high growth expectations. Technology and consumer brand companies often trade at elevated P/B ratios due to intellectual property and competitive advantages not reflected on the balance sheet. As a common stock, this represents equity ownership with voting rights.

Analyst Ratings

Analyst Target Price

$101.79

20.12% upside potential

Analyst Recommendations

Strong Buy

3

Buy

12

Hold

11

Sell

0

Strong Sell

0

How reliable are analyst predictions for MRK?
26 analysts cover MRK with 58% recommending buy/strong buy ratings. Analyst predictions have mixed reliability - studies show consensus rarely beats market returns consistently. The mixed views reflect uncertainty about the outlook. The consensus target of $101.79 implies 20.1% upside, but targets are often adjusted to follow price moves rather than predict them.
What is the Wall Street consensus on MRK?
Current analyst recommendations:3 Strong Buy, 12 Buy, 11 Hold, 00The bullish tilt suggests optimism about future prospects, though investors should conduct independent research.Remember that analyst opinions often lag price movements and can be influenced by investment banking relationships.

Fundamentals last updated: Jul 1, 2025, 04:45 AM

Earnings Dates

Upcoming Earnings

Q2

Jul 29, 2025

Est. EPS: $2.06

In 3 days

Recent Earnings History

DateQuarterEstimated EPSActual EPSSurprise
Apr 24, 2025Q1$2.14$2.22+3.7%
Feb 4, 2025Q4$1.62$1.72+6.2%
Oct 31, 2024Q3$1.50$1.57+4.7%
Jul 30, 2024Q2$2.15$2.28+6.0%
Apr 25, 2024Q1$1.88$2.07+10.1%
Feb 1, 2024Q4$-0.11$0.03+127.3%
Oct 26, 2023Q3$1.95$2.13+9.2%
Aug 1, 2023Q2$-2.18$-2.06+5.5%

Technical Indicators

RSI (14-day)

61.64

Neutral

50-Day Moving Average

$79.42

6.70% above MA-50

200-Day Moving Average

$89.38

-5.19% below MA-200

MACD Line

0.94

MACD Signal

0.79

MACD Histogram

0.15

Bullish

What does MRK's RSI value tell investors?
The RSI (Relative Strength Index) for MRK is currently 61.64, indicating the stock is showing bullish momentum (60-70 range). The stock has positive momentum without being extremely overbought. This zone often occurs during healthy uptrends where buyers remain in control. Combined with the price being above the 50-day moving average, this confirms bullish conditions.
How should traders interpret MRK's MACD and moving average crossovers?
MACD analysis shows the MACD line at 0.94 above the signal line at 0.79, with histogram at 0.15. This bullish crossover suggests upward momentum is building. The 50-day MA ($79.42) is below the 200-day MA ($89.38), forming a death cross pattern that often warns of extended weakness. Price is currently between the MAs, suggesting transition.

Indicators last updated: Jul 26, 2025, 12:40 AM

Active Alerts

Alert Condition
RSI Threshold Cross
Threshold
N/A
Created
Jun 15, 2025, 06:34 PM

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