MERCK & CO. INC. (MRK) Stock Fundamental Analysis

USA • New York Stock Exchange • NYSE:MRK • US58933Y1055

117.65 USD
-4.28 (-3.51%)
At close: Feb 9, 2026
117.29 USD
-0.36 (-0.31%)
After Hours: 2/9/2026, 8:17:47 PM
Fundamental Rating

6

Taking everything into account, MRK scores 6 out of 10 in our fundamental rating. MRK was compared to 191 industry peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry. While MRK has a great profitability rating, there are some minor concerns on its financial health. MRK has a decent growth rate and is not valued too expensively. Finally MRK also has an excellent dividend rating. These ratings would make MRK suitable for dividend investing!


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

8

1. Profitability

1.1 Basic Checks

  • MRK had positive earnings in the past year.
  • In the past year MRK had a positive cash flow from operations.
  • MRK had positive earnings in each of the past 5 years.
  • MRK had a positive operating cash flow in 4 of the past 5 years.
MRK Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFMRK Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 5B 10B 15B 20B 25B

1.2 Ratios

  • Looking at the Return On Assets, with a value of 14.69%, MRK belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 94.76% of the companies in the same industry.
  • MRK has a better Return On Equity (36.71%) than 95.81% of its industry peers.
  • MRK has a better Return On Invested Capital (20.32%) than 96.86% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 14.69%
ROE 36.71%
ROIC 20.32%
ROA(3y)N/A
ROA(5y)N/A
ROE(3y)N/A
ROE(5y)N/A
ROIC(3y)N/A
ROIC(5y)N/A
MRK Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICMRK Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 10 20 30

1.3 Margins

  • Looking at the Profit Margin, with a value of 29.63%, MRK belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 94.24% of the companies in the same industry.
  • MRK's Profit Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
  • The Operating Margin of MRK (36.99%) is better than 96.34% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of MRK has grown nicely.
  • MRK's Gross Margin of 77.69% is amongst the best of the industry. MRK outperforms 83.25% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of MRK has grown nicely.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM 36.99%
PM (TTM) 29.63%
GM 77.69%
OM growth 3Y6.33%
OM growth 5Y9.38%
PM growth 3Y4.66%
PM growth 5Y10.53%
GM growth 3Y4.72%
GM growth 5Y2.48%
MRK Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsMRK Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 20 40 60 80

5

2. Health

2.1 Basic Checks

  • MRK has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is well above the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it is creating value.
  • MRK has no outstanding debt. Therefor its Debt/Equity and Debt/FCF ratios are 0 and belong to the best of the industry.
MRK Yearly Shares OutstandingMRK Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 500M 1B 1.5B 2B 2.5B
MRK Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsMRK Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20B 40B 60B 80B 100B

2.2 Solvency

  • An Altman-Z score of 4.31 indicates that MRK is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
  • Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 4.31, MRK is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 70.16% of the companies in the same industry.
  • The Debt to FCF ratio of MRK is 3.17, which is a good value as it means it would take MRK, 3.17 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
  • The Debt to FCF ratio of MRK (3.17) is better than 89.01% of its industry peers.
  • A Debt/Equity ratio of 0.77 indicates that MRK is somewhat dependend on debt financing.
  • Looking at the Debt to Equity ratio, with a value of 0.77, MRK is doing worse than 69.63% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.77
Debt/FCF 3.17
Altman-Z 4.31
ROIC/WACC2.19
WACC9.26%
MRK Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFMRK Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 10B 20B 30B 40B

2.3 Liquidity

  • MRK has a Current Ratio of 1.66. This is a normal value and indicates that MRK is financially healthy and should not expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
  • MRK has a Current ratio of 1.66. This is in the lower half of the industry: MRK underperforms 67.54% of its industry peers.
  • A Quick Ratio of 1.44 indicates that MRK should not have too much problems paying its short term obligations.
  • MRK has a worse Quick ratio (1.44) than 64.40% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 1.66
Quick Ratio 1.44
MRK Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesMRK Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 10B 20B 30B

4

3. Growth

3.1 Past

  • MRK shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has been growing by 19.50%, which is quite good.
  • The Earnings Per Share has been growing by 9.01% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
  • The Revenue has been growing slightly by 1.31% in the past year.
  • The Revenue has been growing by 9.38% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
EPS 1Y (TTM)19.5%
EPS 3Y6.87%
EPS 5Y9.01%
EPS Q2Q%18.6%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)1.31%
Revenue growth 3Y3.12%
Revenue growth 5Y9.38%
Sales Q2Q%4.97%

3.2 Future

  • Based on estimates for the next years, MRK will show a small growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 1.53% on average per year.
  • Based on estimates for the next years, MRK will show a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 1.73% on average per year.
EPS Next Y-40.74%
EPS Next 2Y4.66%
EPS Next 3Y5.85%
EPS Next 5Y1.53%
Revenue Next Year4.34%
Revenue Next 2Y4.82%
Revenue Next 3Y4.55%
Revenue Next 5Y1.73%

3.3 Evolution

  • The EPS growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
  • The Revenue growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
MRK Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesMRK Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 20B 40B 60B
MRK Yearly EPS VS EstimatesMRK Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 2027 2029 2031 2033 2 4 6 8 10

6

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • MRK is valuated correctly with a Price/Earnings ratio of 12.89.
  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Earnings ratio of MRK indicates a rather cheap valuation: MRK is cheaper than 87.96% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • MRK's Price/Earnings ratio indicates a rather cheap valuation when compared to the S&P500 average which is at 28.06.
  • A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 21.74 indicates a rather expensive valuation of MRK.
  • 78.01% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than MRK, based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio.
  • MRK's Price/Forward Earnings ratio indicates a valuation a bit cheaper than the S&P500 average which is at 27.86.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 12.89
Fwd PE 21.74
MRK Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsMRK Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 10 20 30

4.2 Price Multiples

  • MRK's Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio is rather cheap when compared to the industry. MRK is cheaper than 87.43% of the companies in the same industry.
  • Based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio, MRK is valued cheaper than 84.82% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 22.38
EV/EBITDA 11.12
MRK Per share dataMRK EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 5 10 15 20 25

4.3 Compensation for Growth

  • The excellent profitability rating of MRK may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)N/A
PEG (5Y)1.43
EPS Next 2Y4.66%
EPS Next 3Y5.85%

7

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

  • MRK has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 2.79%. Purely for dividend investing, there may be better candidates out there.
  • Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 0.93, MRK pays a better dividend. On top of this MRK pays more dividend than 93.72% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.80, MRK pays a better dividend.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 2.79%

5.2 History

  • On average, the dividend of MRK grows each year by 6.90%, which is quite nice.
  • MRK has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record.
  • MRK has not decreased their dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)6.9%
Div Incr Years14
Div Non Decr Years34
MRK Yearly Dividends per shareMRK Yearly Dividends per shareYearly Dividends per share 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 1 2 3

5.3 Sustainability

  • 42.60% of the earnings are spent on dividend by MRK. This is a bit on the high side, but may be sustainable.
  • The dividend of MRK is growing, but the earnings are growing slower. This means the dividend growth is not sustainable.
DP42.6%
EPS Next 2Y4.66%
EPS Next 3Y5.85%
MRK Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendMRK Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendYearly Income VS Free CF VS Dividend 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 5B 10B 15B
MRK Dividend Payout.MRK Dividend Payout, showing the Payout Ratio.MRK Dividend Payout.PayoutRetained Earnings

MERCK & CO. INC.

NYSE:MRK (2/9/2026, 8:17:47 PM)

After market: 117.29 -0.36 (-0.31%)

117.65

-4.28 (-3.51%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorHealth Care
GICS IndustryGroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticals
Earnings (Last)02-03
Earnings (Next)04-30
Inst Owners80.32%
Inst Owner Change-2.43%
Ins Owners0.05%
Ins Owner Change0.39%
Market Cap292.01B
Revenue(TTM)65.01B
Net Income(TTM)19.03B
Analysts77.06
Price Target118.61 (0.82%)
Short Float %1.36%
Short Ratio2.41
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 2.79%
Yearly Dividend3.1
Dividend Growth(5Y)6.9%
DP42.6%
Div Incr Years14
Div Non Decr Years34
Ex-Date03-16
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)2
Avg EPS beat(2)10.37%
Min EPS beat(2)7.69%
Max EPS beat(2)13.06%
EPS beat(4)4
Avg EPS beat(4)7.28%
Min EPS beat(4)2.93%
Max EPS beat(4)13.06%
EPS beat(8)8
Avg EPS beat(8)21.72%
EPS beat(12)12
Avg EPS beat(12)16.45%
EPS beat(16)16
Avg EPS beat(16)15.36%
Revenue beat(2)1
Avg Revenue beat(2)-0.35%
Min Revenue beat(2)-1.54%
Max Revenue beat(2)0.83%
Revenue beat(4)2
Avg Revenue beat(4)-0.09%
Min Revenue beat(4)-1.54%
Max Revenue beat(4)0.83%
Revenue beat(8)5
Avg Revenue beat(8)0.41%
Revenue beat(12)9
Avg Revenue beat(12)1.14%
Revenue beat(16)13
Avg Revenue beat(16)1.98%
PT rev (1m)7.46%
PT rev (3m)17.4%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-2.18%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-1.81%
EPS NY rev (1m)-41.43%
EPS NY rev (3m)-43.18%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)-0.06%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-0.07%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.58%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.57%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 12.89
Fwd PE 21.74
P/S 4.55
P/FCF 22.38
P/OCF 17.11
P/B 5.63
P/tB 19.53
EV/EBITDA 11.12
EPS(TTM)9.13
EY7.76%
EPS(NY)5.41
Fwd EY4.6%
FCF(TTM)5.26
FCFY4.47%
OCF(TTM)6.88
OCFY5.84%
SpS25.88
BVpS20.89
TBVpS6.02
PEG (NY)N/A
PEG (5Y)1.43
Graham Number65.51
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA 14.69%
ROE 36.71%
ROCE 23.54%
ROIC 20.32%
ROICexc 24.8%
ROICexgc 44.78%
OM 36.99%
PM (TTM) 29.63%
GM 77.69%
FCFM 20.31%
ROA(3y)N/A
ROA(5y)N/A
ROE(3y)N/A
ROE(5y)N/A
ROIC(3y)N/A
ROIC(5y)N/A
ROICexc(3y)N/A
ROICexc(5y)N/A
ROICexgc(3y)N/A
ROICexgc(5y)N/A
ROCE(3y)N/A
ROCE(5y)N/A
ROICexgc growth 3YN/A
ROICexgc growth 5YN/A
ROICexc growth 3YN/A
ROICexc growth 5YN/A
OM growth 3Y6.33%
OM growth 5Y9.38%
PM growth 3Y4.66%
PM growth 5Y10.53%
GM growth 3Y4.72%
GM growth 5Y2.48%
F-Score6
Asset Turnover0.5
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.77
Debt/FCF 3.17
Debt/EBITDA 1.41
Cap/Depr 87.9%
Cap/Sales 6.25%
Interest Coverage 17.91
Cash Conversion 60.24%
Profit Quality 68.56%
Current Ratio 1.66
Quick Ratio 1.44
Altman-Z 4.31
F-Score6
WACC9.26%
ROIC/WACC2.19
Cap/Depr(3y)N/A
Cap/Depr(5y)N/A
Cap/Sales(3y)N/A
Cap/Sales(5y)N/A
Profit Quality(3y)N/A
Profit Quality(5y)N/A
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)19.5%
EPS 3Y6.87%
EPS 5Y9.01%
EPS Q2Q%18.6%
EPS Next Y-40.74%
EPS Next 2Y4.66%
EPS Next 3Y5.85%
EPS Next 5Y1.53%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)1.31%
Revenue growth 3Y3.12%
Revenue growth 5Y9.38%
Sales Q2Q%4.97%
Revenue Next Year4.34%
Revenue Next 2Y4.82%
Revenue Next 3Y4.55%
Revenue Next 5Y1.73%
EBIT growth 1Y-0.15%
EBIT growth 3Y9.65%
EBIT growth 5Y19.64%
EBIT Next Year-15.41%
EBIT Next 3Y12.42%
EBIT Next 5Y3.04%
FCF growth 1Y-12.07%
FCF growth 3YN/A
FCF growth 5YN/A
OCF growth 1Y-6.56%
OCF growth 3YN/A
OCF growth 5YN/A

MERCK & CO. INC. / MRK FAQ

What is the fundamental rating for MRK stock?

ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 6 / 10 to MRK.


Can you provide the valuation status for MERCK & CO. INC.?

ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 6 / 10 to MERCK & CO. INC. (MRK). This can be considered as Fairly Valued.


Can you provide the profitability details for MERCK & CO. INC.?

MERCK & CO. INC. (MRK) has a profitability rating of 8 / 10.


What is the financial health of MERCK & CO. INC. (MRK) stock?

The financial health rating of MERCK & CO. INC. (MRK) is 5 / 10.


How sustainable is the dividend of MERCK & CO. INC. (MRK) stock?

The dividend rating of MERCK & CO. INC. (MRK) is 7 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 42.6%.