Merck & (MRK.US) Price Target and Rating 2026/2027

128,60
0,21%
Price history for Merck & (MRK.US) – stock price at 128.60 $, August 2026
Merck & stock price – price development 2026. Updated Aug 6, 2026.
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Merck & Price Target 2026: Analysts See 5% Upside

The average price target for Merck & is $135.38. This price target represents the analysts' view of the stock price over the next 12 months. The stock may be undervalued, because the price target is higher than the current price. The stock is 5,28% below the target, which can point to potential returns within the next 12 months if the analysts' view proves right. Also consider the stock's valuation ratios such as P/E, P/S and P/B, plus the technical analysis further down the page, for the full picture.

Is Merck & overvalued or undervalued?

Merck & is currently fairly valued with a gap of 5.3% relative to the price target.


The current price is $128.60, which places Merck & in the fairly valued category. The stock is considered undervalued when the price is below $121.84, and overvalued when the price exceeds $148.92.


The fair value range is defined as ±10% of the price target, because price targets are estimates rather than exact values. For Merck &, the fair value range lies between $121.84 and $148.92.


See the full price target analysis for Merck & →

Analyst Ratings for Merck & stock in 2026: Buy

26 analysts cover Merck &. The ratings are mixed, with 57.7% Buy, 42.3% Hold and 0% Sell. The average price target is $135.38, which gives an upside of 5.3% from the current price.

Consensus: Buy (4.04/5)
Strong Buy
12 (46.2%)
Buy
3 (11.5%)
Hold
11 (42.3%)
Strong Sell Sell Hold Buy Strong Buy
4.04 out of 5 based on 26 analysts

About Merck & – Drug Manufacturers - General

mrk.us, eller Merck & Co., driver en stor sundhedsvirksomhed globalt. De tjener primært penge på to områder: medicin til mennesker og produkter til dyrehelse. På medicinsiden udvikler og sælger de lægemidler inden for onkologi, som kræftmidlet Keytruda, samt vacciner til både børn og voksne. Virksomheden laver også mange produkter til dyrehelse, inklusiv vacciner og medicin til husdyr. De sælger deres varer til hospitaler, apoteker og statslige institutioner. Merck er etableret i 1891 og har i dag tusindvis af ansatte, der arbejder på at levere løsninger til både patienter og dyreproducenter verden over. mrk.us er en vigtig spiller i branchen. Read more about the company

Key Figures for Merck &

$ 316B Market cap
$ 65,8B Revenue
Drug Manufacturers - General Industry
35.96 P/E
4.81 P/S
7.01 P/B
USA Listed on exchange
merck.com Website
Sundhed Sector

What kind of stock is Merck &?

Momentum stock

Merck & is classified as a momentum stock with a momentum score in the top 17% of all stocks. The price has risen 0.0% over the long term.

Score Overview for Merck &

💰 Value Score 31/100 (Low)
⭐ Quality Score 70/100 (High)
🚀 Momentum Score 83/100 (Very High)
📊 Total Score 61/100

⚠️ 2 red flags identified

Our analysis has identified 2 potential risk factors in Merck & that investors should be aware of.

⚠️ High debt: The debt-to-equity ratio is 153% – the company carries considerably more debt than equity, which raises the financial risk.
⚠️ Unsustainable dividend: The payout ratio is 105% – the company pays out more in dividends than it earns, which is not sustainable.

📈 Valuation

Merck & trades at a P/E ratio of 36.0, which is above the market average. The forward P/E is 48.3. The P/S ratio is 4.8. The P/B ratio is 7.0. The PEG ratio is 12.06 — above 2.0 suggests the stock is expensive relative to its growth rate.

💵 Profitability & Growth

Merck & has a profit margin of 13.6% (solid) and an operating margin of 38.6%. Return on equity (ROE) is 18.9% — solid return on equity. Return on assets (ROA) is 12.6%. The latest quarterly earnings grew -19.3% year over year — falling earnings.

🏦 Financial Health

The Piotroski score is 5 out of 9 — average financial health. Altman Z2 is 3.35 (healthy balance sheet — low risk). The debt-to-equity ratio (D/E) is 152.7% — moderate debt.

🚀 Momentum & Short Interest

Short interest is 1.19% — low, the market does not expect a decline.

Merck & Dividend 2026

Dividend Key Figures for Merck & in 2026

Dividend per share
0.85 USD
Payout ratio
104.7%
Very high
Dividend growth (6 years)
+186.2%
Avg. annual dividend (3 years)
2.31 USD

When does Merck & pay a dividend in 2026?

Latest ex-dividend date (traded without the dividend)
June 15, 2026
Next dividend payment
October 7, 2026
Latest payment date
July 8, 2026

How much does Merck & pay in dividends?

Merck & pays dividends to its shareholders. The most recently paid dividend was 0.85 USD per share. Over the last 6 years, the annual dividend has grown by 186.2%, which shows positive dividend growth.

The payout ratio is 104.7%, which is very high. The company pays out almost all of its profits as dividends, which can limit future growth and dividend stability.

Historical Dividend Payments for Merck &

We have registered dividend payments for Merck & since 2019-12-13. In that period the stock has paid a dividend 27 times, most recently on 2026-06-15. This stock qualifies as a stable dividend stock, because it has paid a dividend at least once a year for the last 5 years. That makes it attractive to investors looking for steady, regular dividend payments.

Ex-datePayment dateAmountCurrencyPeriod
2026-06-152026-07-080.85USDUnknown period
2026-06-152026-07-080.85USDUnknown period
2026-06-152026-07-080.85USDUnknown period
2026-06-152026-07-080.85USDUnknown period
2026-03-162026-04-070.85USDUnknown period
2025-12-152026-01-080.85USDUnknown period
2025-03-172025-04-070.81USDUnknown period
2024-09-162024-10-070.77USDUnknown period
2024-06-172024-07-080.77USDUnknown period
2024-03-142024-04-050.77USDUnknown period
2023-12-142024-01-080.77USDUnknown period
2023-09-142023-10-060.73USDUnknown period
2023-06-142023-07-100.73USDUnknown period
2023-03-142023-04-100.73USDUnknown period
2022-12-142023-01-090.73USDUnknown period
2022-09-142022-10-070.69USDUnknown period
2022-06-142022-07-080.69USDUnknown period
2022-03-142022-04-070.69USDUnknown period
2021-12-142022-01-070.69USDUnknown period
2021-09-142021-10-070.65USDUnknown period
2021-06-142021-07-070.65USDUnknown period
2021-03-122021-04-070.62USDUnknown period
2020-12-142021-01-080.62USDUnknown period
2020-09-142020-10-070.58USDUnknown period
2020-06-122020-07-070.58USDUnknown period
2020-03-132020-04-070.58USDUnknown period
2019-12-132020-01-080.58USDUnknown period

Insider Trading in Merck & 2026: The Signal Is negative

In 2026, insiders at Merck & have made 20 transactions, all of which were sales. On a net basis, insiders took 26,750,202 $ out of the stock. Active insiders include Smart Dalton E. III, Maraldo David R., Larson Betty D and others.

Short-Term Signal (3 months): No activity

There has been no insider trading in the last 3 months.

Long-Term Signal (all transactions): Negative

Insiders have exclusively sold shares in the recent period. This can suggest management sees limited opportunity.

Across the last 20 transactions: 0 purchases and 20 sales. A net 26,750,202 $ out of the stock.

Latest sale: Smart Dalton E. III sold 383 shares at 112 $ each on 2026-05-02.

Who is selling: Smart Dalton E. III, Maraldo David R., Larson Betty D, Zachary Jennifer, Williams David Michael and others.

Latest Insider Trades in Merck & (2026)

The table shows the last 20 reported insider transactions in Merck &. Green rows are purchases, red rows are sales. The data is based on official filings.

Transaction date Name Type Number of shares Price per share ($) Total amount ($)
2026-05-02 Smart Dalton E. III Sell 383 112 42,957
2026-05-02 Maraldo David R. Sell 552 112 61,912
2026-04-30 Smart Dalton E. III Sell 464 111 51,481
2026-04-30 Larson Betty D Sell 11,350 111 1,259,283
2026-04-29 Zachary Jennifer Sell 2,951 110 324,699
2026-04-29 Williams David Michael Sell 1,377 110 151,511
2026-04-29 Smart Dalton E. III Sell 944 110 103,868
2026-04-29 Oosthuizen Johannes Jacobus Sell 1,377 110 151,511
2026-04-29 Litchfield Caroline Sell 3,935 110 432,968
2026-04-29 Li Dean Y Sell 4,722 110 519,562

Who is buying and selling Merck & shares in 2026?

The following insiders have sold shares: Smart Dalton E. III, Maraldo David R., Larson Betty D, Zachary Jennifer, Williams David Michael and others. In total, 26,750,202 $ was sold across 20 transactions. Insider trades are legal transactions in which executives and board members buy or sell shares of their own company. These transactions are reported to the SEC and are publicly available.

Merck & Short Selling 2026: 1.2% Sold Short

Low short interest: 1.2% of the free float
Short % of free float
1.2%
Assessment
Low short interest
Short squeeze risk
Low
Data source
SEC
Updated daily
The stock has a low share of short selling. Less than 2% of the freely traded shares are sold short, which points to limited bearish sentiment.

Data is updated daily based on official filings with the SEC.
Short Interest Scale
0% 2% 5% 10% 20%+
Low Moderate High Very High Extreme
1.2%

When Does Merck & Report Earnings – Next Date: 10/29/2026

The next earnings report from Merck & is scheduled for October 29, 2026, before the market opens. This report covers the third quarter (Q3), which ended on September 30, 2026.



Technical Analysis of Merck & 2026 – Signal: Strong Buy

Overall Technical Signal: Strong Buy

Based on trend analysis (SMA50/SMA200) and MACD trend (positive/negative on a daily + weekly basis). Updated August 6, 2026.

Technical analysis of Merck & (MRK.US) – RSI 54, MACD positive (bullish), daily candlestick chart August 2026
Merck & technical analysis – candlestick chart with RSI and MACD. Updated Aug 6, 2026.

Trend Analysis of Merck & Co., Inc

Merck & Co., Inc is in a short-term uptrend. The price of $128.33 is 0.7% above the 20-day average ($127.44). Medium term, the picture is positive: the price is 4.1% above the 50-day average ($123.28). Long term, the stock is 15.5% above the 200-day average ($111.06), which confirms a long-term uptrend.

Golden Cross: The 50-day average (123.28) is above the 200-day average (111.06), which is a classic bullish signal for Merck & Co., Inc.

Is Merck & Co., Inc overbought or oversold?

Merck & Co., Inc has an RSI of 54.0, right in the middle of the neutral zone. There is no clear buying or selling pressure.

MACD Analysis for Merck & Co., Inc

Daily MACD: MACD is positive (1.692), which means the short-term trend is bullish (the 12-day EMA is above the 26-day EMA). MACD is below the signal line (2.066) by 0.374, which suggests the positive momentum is fading – the trend could be turning.

Weekly MACD: MACD5 is positive (5.993), which indicates a broader bullish long-term trend. MACD5 is above the signal line (5.445) by 0.548, which confirms rising long-term momentum.

Overall MACD assessment: Both the daily and weekly trend are bullish (MACD positive). However, momentum shows signs of weakening on a daily basis. Watch whether the trend holds.

Risk Profile for Merck & Co., Inc

Merck & Co., Inc has an annual standard deviation of 27.5%, which classifies the stock as moderately low risk. There is some volatility, but the price is relatively stable.

Overall Technical Conclusion for Merck & Co., Inc

Trend: Positive. The price trades above SMA50 and SMA200.

MACD trend (zero line): Daily bullish (1.692). Weekly bullish (5.993).

MACD momentum (signal): Daily falling. Weekly rising.

RSI: 54.0 – neutral.

Technical signal: Strong Buy

The price is in an uptrend (above SMA50/SMA200) and MACD is positive on both a daily and weekly basis. Trend and MACD trend confirm each other – the strongest technical buy signal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Merck & stock in 2026

Should you buy Merck & stock now?
Yes, the technical signal for Merck & is currently BUY. Merck & trades at $128.60 as of 8/6/2026. The overall technical signal is: Strong Buy. The technical analysis shows the following: MACD is positive (bullish trend) at 1.692 with falling momentum (signal: 2.066); RSI is at 54.0 (neutral zone); the stock is in a short-term uptrend (price above the 20-day average); the analyst price target of $135.38 points to 5.3% upside. The stock is in a broader uptrend (above SMA50/SMA200). This is a technical observation based on current data, not investment advice.
What is the price target for Merck & stock?
The average analyst price target for Merck & is $135.38. The current price is $128.60, which gives an upside of 5.3%. Based on this, the stock is considered fairly valued. The fair value range (±10% of the price target) is between $121.84 and $148.92.
Is Merck & a dividend stock?
No, Merck & does not currently pay a dividend to shareholders. The company reinvests its profits in growth instead of paying dividends.
What is the risk of Merck & stock?
Merck & is rated as a stock with moderately low risk. the annual standard deviation is 27.5%, which classifies the stock as moderately low risk.
Is Merck & overvalued?
Merck & is considered fairly valued – the price is close to the analyst price target. Merck & has the following valuation ratios: a P/E ratio of 36.0 (highly valued), a P/S ratio of 4.8, a P/B ratio of 7.0. The stock trades close to the analyst price target and is considered fairly valued.
Is Merck & overbought?
No, Merck & is not overbought. RSI is at 54.0 (neutral zone). The technical indicators show: RSI is at 54.0 (neutral zone between 30-70), which signals neither overbought nor oversold. In addition, the price is 0.9% above the 20-day average (short-term uptrend). In addition, MACD is positive, but momentum is falling.
When is the next Merck & earnings report?
Merck & reports its next earnings on October 29, 2026. The stock currently trades at $128.60. With a P/E ratio of 36.0, the market will be watching closely whether earnings meet expectations.
Is Merck & shorted?
Yes, Merck & is shorted with 1.2% of the free float sold short. This is a moderate level of short selling, within the normal range for most stocks. Data is updated daily based on official filings with the SEC.
Are insiders buying Merck & stock?
No, insiders are not buying Merck & shares – they are net sellers. Across the last 20 reported transactions, the split is 0 purchases and 20 sales, with a net 26,750,202 $ sold. Active sellers include Smart Dalton E. III, Maraldo David R., Larson Betty D and others. Insider selling can have several explanations (e.g. planned 10b5-1 sales, portfolio diversification or taxes), but sustained selling by several insiders is worth watching closely.
Is Merck & a good stock?
Based on our total score, Merck & is rated as a good stock with a total score of 61 out of 100. The stock scores above average on value, quality and momentum – it is among the top 39% in our database. The score is made up of Value: 31/100, Quality: 70/100, Momentum: 83/100. In addition: technical signal: Strong Buy. Whether Merck & is a good investment depends on your time horizon, risk profile and portfolio. This is a data-driven observation, not investment advice.
What is the outlook for Merck & stock?
The outlook for Merck & based on current data: the average analyst price target is $135.38 (+5.3%); the stock is in an uptrend (above SMA50 and SMA200); the next earnings report is due on 10/29/2026, which can move the price; the P/E ratio is 36.0 (high – the market expects growth). Keep in mind that stock prices are affected by many factors, including earnings reports, the economy and market sentiment. Past returns are no guarantee of future returns.
Why is Merck & stock moving?
Merck & is stable right now. The technical indicators show: the price is close to the 20-day average; insiders have mostly been selling the stock recently. For the latest context, see our technical analysis, insider section and news overview above.
How high can Merck & go?
The average analyst price target for Merck & is $135.38, which corresponds to a potential gain of 5.3% from the current price of $128.60. Keep in mind that price targets are estimates, not guarantees. Actual price moves depend on earnings, market conditions and unexpected events.
How low can Merck & fall?
We lack enough history to give a specific floor for Merck &. Remember: past price swings are no guarantee for the future — a stock can fall further than the last 52 weeks suggest, especially on profit warnings, sector crises or a market crash. Use stop-loss orders and spread your portfolio to limit losses in single stocks.
What does Merck & do?
mrk.us, eller Merck & Co., driver en stor sundhedsvirksomhed globalt. De tjener primært penge på to områder: medicin til mennesker og produkter til dyrehelse. På medicinsiden udvikler og sælger de lægemidler inden for onkologi, som kræftmidlet Keytruda, samt vacciner til både ... The company belongs to the Sundhed sector, more specifically the Drug Manufacturers - General industry, is headquartered in USA, and is traded on the USA Stocks. See the key figures, earnings history and price development above to evaluate Merck & as an investment.
Did Merck & raise or lower its guidance?
Over the last 60 days we have not registered a guidance raise or cut from Merck &. The company can still adjust its guidance at quarterly reports or between reports — see the earnings history and the news overview above.
Is Merck & making money or losing money?
Yes, Merck & is making money, not losing it. The company has a profit margin (the share of revenue left over as profit) of 13.6% — which is solid. The operating margin (profit before interest and taxes) is 38.6%. At a P/E ratio of 36.0, you currently pay 36.0 dollars for every dollar of the company's annual earnings. A consistently profitable company is usually more resilient than growth stocks that are not yet making money.
Can Merck & go bankrupt?
The bankruptcy risk of Merck & is rated as low. Altman Z2 (a model for assessing financial distress) is 3.35 — that places the company in the healthy zone. The company has a healthy balance sheet with limited debt relative to earnings and assets. The Piotroski score (financial health 0-9, higher is better) is 5 — which is average. Debt relative to equity is 153% (high). Remember: models like Altman Z2 are statistical — unexpected shocks (fraud, a sector collapse, lawsuits) can always happen. Spread your portfolio.
Does Merck & have a lot of debt?
Yes, Merck & has elevated debt relative to equity. The debt-to-equity ratio (D/E — interest-bearing debt to equity) is 153%. For the sundhed sector, anything above 150% counts as elevated — that raises the financial risk, especially if interest rates rise or earnings fall. Note: D/E levels are highly sector-specific — a bank at 300% debt is normal, a tech stock at 300% is extremely leveraged. Always compare with similar companies in the same sector. Can Merck & service its debt? Could struggle to service its debt — the interest coverage ratio (how many times earnings can cover interest payments) is -7.4x, and net debt equals 1.5 years of earnings (EBITDA).