About Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
Merck & Co., Inc. is a Drug Manufacturers - General company operating in the Healthcare sector.
MRK trades on the US stock exchanges (NYSE/NASDAQ) and is classified as a large-cap stock .
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $149.52
- Market Cap
- $368.89B
- 52-Week High
- $156.92
- 52-Week Low
- $82.01
- Sector
- Healthcare
- Industry
- Drug Manufacturers - General
$1,000 Invested in Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)
How much would $1,000 invested in MRK be worth today?
What would $1,000 invested in MRK 1 year ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) in 2025 would be worth $1,784 as of November 2026, representing a +78.4% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in MRK 3 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) in 2023 would be worth $1,552 as of November 2026, representing a +55.2% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in MRK 5 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) in 2021 would be worth $2,134 as of November 2026, representing a +113.4% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in MRK 10 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) in 2016 would be worth $3,475 as of November 2026, representing a +247.5% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in MRK at IPO be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) at IPO would be worth $2,376,506 as of November 2026, representing a +237550.6% total return.
DCA vs Lump Sum Calculator
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MRK vs S&P 500
See how MRK compares to the S&P 500 benchmark over time
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 64+ years (777 months), Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has averaged a monthly return of +1.24% with a median return of +1.31%. The stock had 450 positive months (58%) and 326 negative months (42%). The best month in MRK's history was October 1974 with a +31.3% return, while the worst was September 2004 at -26.0%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +3.2%), and September the weakest (-0.1%).
MRK's longest winning streak was 13 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 9 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1991 with a cumulative return of +66.7%, and the worst was 2008 at -52.8%.
Annual Returns
Over 64 years of trading history, Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has delivered an average annual return of +16.12% with a median return of +12.03%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +13.00%. The stock posted gains in 48 years (75%) and losses in 16 years (25%).
MRK's best year was 1991 with a +88.89% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -45.33%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 14, and the longest losing streak was 4 years. MRK achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 36 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 9 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +44.98% | $103.13 | $149.52 |
| 2025 | +9.79% | $93.94 | $103.13 |
| 2024 | -6.26% | $100.21 | $93.94 |
| 2023 | +1.01% | $99.21 | $100.21 |
| 2022 | +49.42% | $66.39 | $99.21 |
| 2021 | +1.75% | $65.25 | $66.39 |
| 2020 | -7.20% | $70.32 | $65.25 |
| 2019 | +22.27% | $57.51 | $70.32 |
| 2018 | +39.95% | $41.09 | $57.51 |
| 2017 | -1.49% | $41.71 | $41.09 |
| 2016 | +15.05% | $36.25 | $41.71 |
| 2015 | -3.89% | $37.72 | $36.25 |
| 2014 | +16.93% | $32.26 | $37.72 |
| 2013 | +26.83% | $25.43 | $32.26 |
| 2012 | +13.14% | $22.48 | $25.43 |
| 2011 | +9.56% | $20.52 | $22.48 |
| 2010 | +2.91% | $19.94 | $20.52 |
| 2009 | +26.70% | $15.74 | $19.94 |
| 2008 | -45.33% | $28.79 | $15.74 |
| 2007 | +37.35% | $20.96 | $28.79 |
| 2006 | +42.68% | $14.69 | $20.96 |
| 2005 | +4.04% | $14.12 | $14.69 |
| 2004 | -27.77% | $19.55 | $14.12 |
| 2003 | -11.20% | $22.01 | $19.55 |
| 2002 | -1.21% | $22.28 | $22.01 |
| 2001 | -35.96% | $34.79 | $22.28 |
| 2000 | +41.76% | $24.54 | $34.79 |
| 1999 | -7.49% | $26.53 | $24.54 |
| 1998 | +41.30% | $18.77 | $26.53 |
| 1997 | +35.65% | $13.84 | $18.77 |
| 1996 | +23.94% | $11.17 | $13.84 |
| 1995 | +76.61% | $6.32 | $11.17 |
| 1994 | +14.85% | $5.51 | $6.32 |
| 1993 | -18.33% | $6.74 | $5.51 |
| 1992 | -20.31% | $8.46 | $6.74 |
| 1991 | +88.89% | $4.48 | $8.46 |
| 1990 | +18.94% | $3.77 | $4.48 |
| 1989 | +37.47% | $2.74 | $3.77 |
| 1988 | +11.95% | $2.45 | $2.74 |
| 1987 | +29.98% | $1.88 | $2.45 |
| 1986 | +84.58% | $1.02 | $1.88 |
| 1985 | +50.10% | $0.68 | $1.02 |
| 1984 | +7.68% | $0.63 | $0.68 |
| 1983 | +10.19% | $0.57 | $0.63 |
| 1982 | +3.61% | $0.55 | $0.57 |
| 1981 | +3.07% | $0.54 | $0.55 |
| 1980 | +21.27% | $0.44 | $0.54 |
| 1979 | +10.05% | $0.40 | $0.44 |
| 1978 | +25.58% | $0.32 | $0.40 |
| 1977 | -16.23% | $0.38 | $0.32 |
| 1976 | +0.45% | $0.38 | $0.38 |
| 1975 | +6.26% | $0.36 | $0.38 |
| 1974 | -16.59% | $0.43 | $0.36 |
| 1973 | -8.09% | $0.47 | $0.43 |
| 1972 | +45.39% | $0.32 | $0.47 |
| 1971 | +27.85% | $0.25 | $0.32 |
| 1970 | -10.76% | $0.28 | $0.25 |
| 1969 | +28.29% | $0.22 | $0.28 |
| 1968 | +8.98% | $0.20 | $0.22 |
| 1967 | +12.11% | $0.18 | $0.20 |
| 1966 | +11.03% | $0.16 | $0.18 |
| 1965 | +45.04% | $0.11 | $0.16 |
| 1964 | +39.31% | $0.08 | $0.11 |
| 1963 | +43.39% | $0.06 | $0.08 |
Frequently Asked Questions: MRK
What sector is MRK in? ▼
MRK operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry. This sector includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare providers.
How has MRK performed historically? ▼
Over 64 years of trading history, MRK has posted gains in 48 years (75% of the time). The best year was 1991 with a +88.9% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in MRK? ▼
You can invest in MRK through any brokerage account that offers access to US stock exchanges. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold MRK.
Last updated: 11/1/2026