Merck Dividends and Buybacks
Dividend criteria checks 4/6
Merck is a dividend paying company with a current yield of 2.81%. Next payment date is on 8th July, 2026 with an ex-dividend date of 15th June, 2026.
Key information
2.8%
Dividend yield
1.5%
Buyback Yield
| Total Shareholder Yield | 4.3% |
| Future Dividend Yield | 3.0% |
| Dividend Growth | 6.5% |
| Next dividend pay date | 08 Jul 26 |
| Ex dividend date | 15 Jun 26 |
| Dividend per share | n/a |
| Payout ratio | 91% |
Recent dividend and buyback updates
Recent updates
Seeking Alpha • Jun 05
Merck & Co.: Why The Market Is Right To Start Buying Into Post-Keytruda Promise
Summary Merck & Co., Inc. has rebounded 55% in the past year, driven by optimism around its post-Keytruda strategy despite the looming patent expiry in 2028. MRK has aggressively pursued acquisitions and partnerships, notably with Terns Pharma, Cidara, Verona, and Daiichi Sankyo, to diversify its pipeline. By 2030, I project MRK can offset Keytruda declines with ~$17.35bn in new product revenues, supporting a potential $350bn valuation—~15% above current levels. While a revenue trough is expected post-2028, MRK’s proactive R&D and dealmaking position it for a ~3.5% CAGR and sector-leading resilience. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Narrative Update • Jun 01
MRK: Oncology Pipeline And Terns Deal Will Shape Future Earnings Balance
Analysts have nudged their average price targets on Merck higher by $3 to $15 in recent weeks, citing updated views on the company’s oncology pipeline, the Terns Pharmaceuticals deal, and specific assets like Sac TMT that some expect could materially influence Merck’s long term earnings profile. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research around Merck clusters around two main themes, the potential of key pipeline assets like Sac TMT and TERN-701, and how recent study outcomes and deal activity could affect execution risk and valuation.
Narrative Update • May 21
Merck (MRK) – Expands Oncology Leadership with New Clinical Data at ASCO 2026
Announcement Overview Analyst: Qudus Adebara (Founder, Wane Investment House) Merck & Co., Inc. (“Merck” or “the Company”), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has announced that it will present more than 100 abstracts spanning over 25 cancer types at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting , scheduled for May 29 – June 2, 2026.Narrative Update • May 19
Merck Completes Acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals
Strengthening Hematology Pipeline with Breakthrough CML Therapy Candidate TERN-701 Analyst: Qudus Adsebara (Founder, Wane Investment House) Transaction Overview Merck & Co Inc (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has successfully completed the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals Inc following the conclusion of its cash tender offer and merger process. The acquisition reinforces Merck’s strategy of expanding its oncology and hematology pipeline through science-driven and value-enhancing business development initiatives.Narrative Update • May 17
MRK: Oncology Pipeline And Terns Deal Will Shape Forward Risk Balance
Merck's analyst fair value estimate is now $129.74. Analysts link this adjustment and modestly higher assumed revenue growth and P/E multiples to recent price target increases from firms such as Wells Fargo, UBS, JPMorgan, Citi, Morgan Stanley, RBC, and Barclays following pipeline updates and the Terns acquisition.Analysis Article • May 11
Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Soft Earnings Don't Show The Whole Picture
Shareholders appeared unconcerned with Merck & Co., Inc.'s ( NYSE:MRK ) lackluster earnings report last week. Our...
Narrative Update • May 02
MRK: Oncology Reorg And Deals For Targeted Therapies Will Support Higher P E Multiple
Analysts nudged the Merck price target higher by a few dollars per share, reflecting updated expectations for slightly lower revenue growth, a modestly higher profit margin, and a somewhat lower future P/E multiple, supported by recent research commentary on the pipeline and business development moves. Analyst Commentary Recent research has tilted positive around Merck, with several large firms adjusting their models and price targets to reflect updated views on the pipeline, partnered programs, and business development activity.Narrative Update • Apr 19
Merck & Co., Inc. – Tender Offer for Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Full Acquisition Transaction)
Author: Qudus Adebara (Founder of Wane Investment House) Transaction Overview Merck & Co., Inc. (known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada) has formally commenced a cash tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., following the signing of a definitive agreement on March 25, 2026.Narrative Update • Apr 18
MRK: Oncology Reorg And Pipeline Deals Will Support Higher Future P E Multiple
Analysts have lifted their Merck price targets by up to the mid double digits in recent weeks, citing higher modeled revenue growth, slightly stronger profit margins, and updated views on future P/E multiples as Merck advances its pipeline and business development moves. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Merck has been broadly constructive, with a cluster of price target revisions and fresh initiations pointing to confidence in the company’s execution, pipeline progress, and M&A activity.
Narrative Update • Apr 04
MRK: M&A Execution Risks Around Terns And Revolution Will Restrain Future Upside
Analysts have nudged Merck's fair value estimate higher to approximately $101.30, reflecting updated assumptions for slightly stronger revenue growth, a modestly higher profit margin, and a marginally lower future P/E. This view is supported by a wave of recent price target increases into the $130 to $150 range and fresh Outperform or Overweight initiations on the stock.Narrative Update • Mar 21
MRK: Pipeline Readouts And Oncology Reorg Will Support Higher Future P E Multiple
The analyst price target for Merck has been reset from $136 to $150. This reflects analysts' updated assumptions for modestly higher revenue growth, a stronger profit margin profile, and a slightly lower future P/E multiple, supported by recent research that highlights potential upside from Sac TMT, upcoming launches, and key Phase 3 readouts.Narrative Update • Mar 06
MRK: Keytruda Cliff And M&A Uncertainty Will Likely Curb Long Term Upside
Analysts have lifted their Merck fair value estimate from $83.00 to about $101.04, pointing to broad price target hikes across the Street and citing confidence in upcoming product launches, Phase 3 readouts, and management's approach to the Keytruda loss of exclusivity. Analyst Commentary Recent research coverage on Merck has tilted positive, with several firms lifting price targets and starting the stock with favorable ratings.Narrative Update • Feb 20
MRK: Pipeline Readouts And Gardasil Policy Shifts Will Shape Forward Risk Balance
Analysts have lifted their Merck fair value estimate from $115.11 to $124.88, citing a higher expected future P/E, modestly higher projected revenue growth, and a series of recent price target hikes that highlight confidence in upcoming launches and data readouts. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research around Merck points to a generally constructive tone, with many firms adjusting ratings and price targets in a way that supports a higher fair value, while still flagging a few execution and policy watchpoints for investors to track.Narrative Update • Feb 06
MRK: Rising Confidence In Pipeline Execution To Support Richer Future P E Multiple
Analysts have nudged our Merck fair value estimate higher to $136, reflecting a higher average price target across firms such as Scotiabank, Goldman Sachs, BMO, BofA, Citi, Wells Fargo, Bernstein, Cantor Fitzgerald, TD Cowen, and others, who cite stronger top line expectations, updated margin assumptions, and a richer future P/E multiple. Analyst Commentary Across recent research, bullish analysts are largely aligned in their view that Merck is executing well enough to support higher valuation assumptions.Narrative Update • Jan 23
MRK: M&A Pipeline And Gardasil Policy Shifts Will Shape Future Risk Balance
Analysts lifted their Merck fair value estimate by about $8.50 to $115.11 per share as they factor in a higher future P/E multiple, recent price target increases from several firms, and growing confidence in the company being added to BofA's "US 1 List." Analyst Commentary Recent research on Merck gives you a mix of confidence in the company’s execution and some clear areas to watch. Here is how the current commentary breaks down.Narrative Update • Jan 09
MRK: Cidara Flu Deal Will Likely Highlight Overstated Long Term Hopes
Narrative Update The analyst price target for Merck has moved higher to a range of about $105 to $135. Analysts point to sector re-ratings, recent upgrades to Outperform, and confidence in the company’s product pipeline and deal activity as key drivers of their updated views.Narrative Update • Dec 24
MRK: Cidara Flu Deal Will Likely Expose Overstated Long Term Expectations
Analysts have nudged their fair value estimate for Merck higher, lifting the price target by $1 to $83 as they factor in stronger revenue growth, improved profit margins, and a lower future P/E multiple supported by recent positive research initiations and deal activity. Analyst Commentary Street research around Merck has turned more constructive in recent weeks, with several firms highlighting an improving growth outlook and a more attractive risk reward profile.Narrative Update • Dec 14
Merck predicts unstoppable growth with KEYTRUDA and WINREVAIR hitting record hihs
based on Q3 resultNarrative Update • Dec 10
MRK: Cidara Acquisition And Patent Overhang Will Shape Future Risk Reward Balance
Analysts have modestly raised their fair value estimate for Merck to approximately $106.62 from about $104.27 per share, citing the higher Street price target of $105, growing confidence in its infectious disease and oncology pipeline, and the view that shares remain attractively valued relative to the company's long term growth prospects. Analyst Commentary Street research on Merck continues to highlight a constructive long term outlook balanced by execution and concentration risks, with recent notes refining expectations around valuation, pipeline durability, and capital allocation.Analysis Article • Dec 02
Merck (NYSE:MRK) Is Increasing Its Dividend To $0.85
Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK ) will increase its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 8th of January to...Narrative Update • Nov 26
MRK: Recent Pipeline Deals And Patent Expiry Will Shape Outlook Ahead
Analysts have raised the price target for Merck to $105 from $98, citing stronger growth prospects and a more favorable valuation because of the company’s expanding pipeline and recent strategic deals. Analyst Commentary Recent analyst commentary on Merck highlights both positive momentum and notable risks that could influence the company’s trajectory in the months ahead.Analysis Article • Nov 02
Merck & Co., Inc. Just Beat Earnings Expectations: Here's What Analysts Think Will Happen Next
Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK ) came out with its quarterly results last week, and we wanted to see how the business is...Upcoming Dividend Payment
Stability and Growth of Payments
Fetching dividends data
Stable Dividend: MRK's dividends per share have been stable in the past 10 years.
Growing Dividend: MRK's dividend payments have increased over the past 10 years.
Dividend Yield vs Market
| Merck Dividend Yield vs Market |
|---|
| Segment | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|
| Company (MRK) | 2.8% |
| Market Bottom 25% (US) | 1.4% |
| Market Top 25% (US) | 4.2% |
| Industry Average (Pharmaceuticals) | 2.0% |
| Analyst forecast (MRK) (up to 3 years) | 3.0% |
Notable Dividend: MRK's dividend (2.81%) is higher than the bottom 25% of dividend payers in the US market (1.42%).
High Dividend: MRK's dividend (2.81%) is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the US market (4.25%).
Earnings Payout to Shareholders
Earnings Coverage: With its high payout ratio (91.4%), MRK's dividend payments are not well covered by earnings.
Cash Payout to Shareholders
Cash Flow Coverage: With its reasonable cash payout ratio (59.5%), MRK's dividend payments are covered by cash flows.
Discover strong dividend paying companies
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/06/07 16:33 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/06/05 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/03/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
| |
| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
|
|
| Market Prices | 30 years |
| |
| Ownership | 10 years |
| |
| Management | 10 years |
| |
| Key Developments | 10 years |
|
* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.
Learn about the world class team who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.
Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
Merck & Co., Inc. is covered by 49 analysts. 8 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| David Toung | Argus Research Company |
| Emily Field | Barclays |
| Charles Butler | Barclays |