About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has been publicly traded since 1962, making it a 64-year-old public company. It operates in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Rahway, United States and employs approximately 73,000 people. With a market capitalization of $286 billion, MRK is one of the largest publicly traded companies.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $116.69
- Market Cap
- $288.50B
- 52-Week High
- $125.14
- 52-Week Low
- $73.31
- Sector
- Healthcare
- Industry
- Drug Manufacturers - General
$1,000 Invested
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Annual Returns
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +10.86% | $105.26 | $116.69 |
| 2025 | +9.79% | $95.88 | $105.26 |
| 2024 | -6.26% | $102.28 | $95.88 |
| 2023 | +1.01% | $101.26 | $102.28 |
| 2022 | +49.42% | $67.77 | $101.26 |
| 2021 | +1.75% | $66.60 | $67.77 |
| 2020 | -7.20% | $71.77 | $66.60 |
| 2019 | +22.27% | $58.70 | $71.77 |
| 2018 | +39.95% | $41.94 | $58.70 |
| 2017 | -1.49% | $42.57 | $41.94 |
| 2016 | +15.05% | $37.00 | $42.57 |
| 2015 | -3.89% | $38.50 | $37.00 |
| 2014 | +16.93% | $32.92 | $38.50 |
| 2013 | +26.83% | $25.96 | $32.92 |
| 2012 | +13.14% | $22.95 | $25.96 |
| 2011 | +9.56% | $20.94 | $22.95 |
| 2010 | +2.91% | $20.35 | $20.94 |
| 2009 | +26.70% | $16.06 | $20.35 |
| 2008 | -45.33% | $29.38 | $16.06 |
| 2007 | +37.35% | $21.39 | $29.38 |
| 2006 | +42.68% | $14.99 | $21.39 |
| 2005 | +4.04% | $14.41 | $14.99 |
| 2004 | -27.77% | $19.95 | $14.41 |
| 2003 | -11.20% | $22.46 | $19.95 |
| 2002 | -1.21% | $22.74 | $22.46 |
| 2001 | -35.96% | $35.51 | $22.74 |
| 2000 | +41.76% | $25.05 | $35.51 |
| 1999 | -7.49% | $27.08 | $25.05 |
| 1998 | +41.30% | $19.16 | $27.08 |
| 1997 | +35.65% | $14.13 | $19.16 |
| 1996 | +23.94% | $11.40 | $14.13 |
| 1995 | +76.61% | $6.45 | $11.40 |
| 1994 | +14.85% | $5.62 | $6.45 |
| 1993 | -18.33% | $6.88 | $5.62 |
| 1992 | -20.31% | $8.63 | $6.88 |
| 1991 | +88.89% | $4.57 | $8.63 |
| 1990 | +18.94% | $3.84 | $4.57 |
| 1989 | +37.47% | $2.80 | $3.84 |
| 1988 | +11.95% | $2.50 | $2.80 |
| 1987 | +29.98% | $1.92 | $2.50 |
| 1986 | +84.58% | $1.04 | $1.92 |
| 1985 | +50.10% | $0.69 | $1.04 |
| 1984 | +7.68% | $0.64 | $0.69 |
| 1983 | +10.19% | $0.58 | $0.64 |
| 1982 | +3.61% | $0.56 | $0.58 |
| 1981 | +3.07% | $0.55 | $0.56 |
| 1980 | +21.27% | $0.45 | $0.55 |
| 1979 | +10.05% | $0.41 | $0.45 |
| 1978 | +25.58% | $0.33 | $0.41 |
| 1977 | -16.23% | $0.39 | $0.33 |
| 1976 | +0.45% | $0.39 | $0.39 |
| 1975 | +6.26% | $0.37 | $0.39 |
| 1974 | -16.59% | $0.44 | $0.37 |
| 1973 | -8.09% | $0.48 | $0.44 |
| 1972 | +45.39% | $0.33 | $0.48 |
| 1971 | +27.85% | $0.26 | $0.33 |
| 1970 | -10.76% | $0.29 | $0.26 |
| 1969 | +28.29% | $0.22 | $0.29 |
| 1968 | +8.98% | $0.21 | $0.22 |
| 1967 | +12.11% | $0.18 | $0.21 |
| 1966 | +11.03% | $0.17 | $0.18 |
| 1965 | +45.04% | $0.11 | $0.17 |
| 1964 | +39.31% | $0.08 | $0.11 |
| 1963 | +43.39% | $0.06 | $0.08 |
Valuation
MRK currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 15.9, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 11.9 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 5.4. The price-to-sales ratio is 4.4.
Dividends
Merck & Co., Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.94%. This translates to $3.40 per share annually. The payout ratio of 45% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
MRK has a beta of 0.26, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $73.31 to $125.14, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 27 analyst opinions, MRK has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of $127.78 suggests 10.5% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Merck & Co., Inc. do? ▼
Merck & Co., Inc. is a Drug Manufacturers - General company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Rahway, United States.
What sector is MRK in? ▼
MRK operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry.
When did MRK go public? ▼
Merck & Co., Inc. went public in 1962, making it a 64-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in MRK 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in MRK five years ago would be worth approximately $1,933 today, representing a 93.3% return.
Does MRK pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Merck & Co., Inc. pays a dividend with a current yield of 2.94%, which is $3.4 per share annually.
What is MRK's market cap? ▼
Merck & Co., Inc. has a market capitalization of $286 billion, classifying it as a mega-cap company.
What is MRK's P/E ratio? ▼
MRK has a trailing P/E ratio of 15.9 and a forward P/E of 11.9, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is MRK a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 27 opinions, MRK has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is $127.78.
Last updated: 3/14/2026