Is MRK a good stock to buy?
Merck & Co., Inc. · end-of-day data as of Nov 13, 2026
- PT$159.63 +8.0%
- ConsensusBuy · 28
- FCF yield+4.0%
- News
- Trendbullish
- MAs4 of 4
- MA20×50Golden 3d ago
- MACD0.09
- Sector▲ +15.9%
- Earnings in81d
- P/E152.3x
- RSI53
- Support-4.5%
- Resistance+1.4%
- Off 52w high-5.8%
- Volume0.7x
- Bollingerupper half
- 52w range$91–$157
- ATR+2.8%
- Off ATH-5.8%
- InsidersNone in 90d
- P/E vs own+102.5%
- P/E vs sector+372.9%
Updates with the 15-min delayed price. Not a forecast or investment advice.
Is Merck a good stock to buy?
Merck is strong on 2 of the 5 questions about the business. The price is high: 152.3 times its earnings, above its 3-year median of 23.4 (Nov 13, 2026). pretickt does not say whether to buy or sell.
- Demand steady
- Advantage some edge
- Economics profitable
- Execution delivers
- Fragility sturdy
- Price expensive
MRK sales growth revenue growth
+3%a year, for the last 3 yearsMerck's sales grew 3% a year for 3 years, to $64.93B in fiscal 2025.
MRK analysts' forecast revenue estimates
+4%the sales they expect next fiscal year, on the lastAnalysts expect Merck's sales to grow 4% to $67.24B in fiscal 2026 (18 analysts).
MRK competitors
pretickt analysis+5%its sales in 12 months, on a year before
Merck's sales grew 5% in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, slower than AbbVie (+11%), Amgen (+8%) and Gilead (+7%).
MRK sales by business revenue by segment
89%of its sales from PharmaceuticalPharmaceutical brought Merck 89% of its sales in fiscal 2025; Animal Health 10%.
MRK return on capital ROIC
pretickt analysis12%earned before tax on the money invested in itMerck earned 12% before tax on the capital invested in it in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026; AbbVie 36%, Amgen 25% and Gilead -4%.
MRK margin on each sale gross margin
77%left after making the productMerck kept 77% of each sale after making the product in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026; its competitors' median is 76%.
MRK margin after costs profit margin
16%of sales left after running the businessMerck's operating margin was 16% in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, against 31% in fiscal 2022.
MRK cash generated free cash flow
$14.75Bcash left after investing, last 12 monthsMerck generated $14.75B of free cash flow in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, more than its reported profit.
MRK earnings vs estimates
6 of 7quarters above the analysts' estimateMerck beat the analysts' profit estimate in 6 of 7 quarters, the latest on Oct 29, 2026; 1 quarter with one-time gains or charges is left out.
MRK insider selling
-$56.42Msold, net, by its executives in 12 monthsMerck's executives and directors sold a net $56.42M of shares in the 12 months to Nov 13, 2026; none bought.
MRK number of employees
0%about as many people as a year beforeMerck had 75,000 employees at the end of fiscal 2025, about as many as a year before.
MRK CEO pay
$20.8Mfor fiscal 2025, 74% of it in stock and optionsMerck paid its CEO $20.8M for fiscal 2025, 74% of it in stock and options.
MRK financial health Altman Z-score
3.9Altman Z-score, safe above 3Merck's Altman Z-score is 3.9 (Nov 13, 2026), above 3, where the safe zone starts.
MRK quality checks Piotroski score
6 of 9checks passedMerck passes 6 of the 9 Piotroski checks in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026; it misses on return on assets, long-term debt and the current ratio.
MRK in past recessions
pretickt analysis-1%its sales in the worst oneMerck's sales fell in 1 of the last 2 US recessions, by as much as 1% in fiscal 2008.
MRK price vs profit P/E ratio
152.3×a year's earningsMerck's P/E ratio is 152.3 (Nov 13, 2026), above its 3-year median of 23.4.
MRK price vs competitors
pretickt analysis152.3×a year's earnings, against its competitors
Investors pay 152.3 times Merck's earnings (Nov 13, 2026), more than for AbbVie (50.6) or Amgen (27.0).
MRK analysts' target price target
+8%to their average targetAnalysts' average price target for Merck is $160, 8% above the Nov 13, 2026 close of $147.76.
MRK analyst ratings, 90 days
pretickt analysisMorgan Stanleyupgrade RBC Capitaldowngrade
In the 90 days to Nov 13, 2026, Morgan Stanley upgraded Merck; RBC Capital downgraded it.
MRK growth priced in fair value
pretickt analysis+10%a year, for ten years, to be worth the priceAt $147.76 a share, Merck's free cash flow must grow about 10% a year for ten years to be worth the price (Nov 13, 2026).
What is Merck's P/E ratio?
Merck's P/E ratio is 152.3 (Nov 13, 2026), above its 3-year median of 23.4. Investors pay 152.3 times Merck's earnings (Nov 13, 2026), more than for AbbVie (50.6) or Amgen (27.0).
Who are Merck's biggest competitors?
pretickt compares Merck with AbbVie, Amgen, Gilead and Johnson & Johnson. Merck's sales grew 5% in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, slower than AbbVie (+11%), Amgen (+8%) and Gilead (+7%).
Is Merck profitable?
Merck's operating margin was 16% in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, against 31% in fiscal 2022. Merck generated $14.75B of free cash flow in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, more than its reported profit.
Are insiders selling Merck stock?
Merck's executives and directors sold a net $56.42M of shares in the 12 months to Nov 13, 2026; none bought.
How does Merck make money?
Pharmaceutical brought Merck 89% of its sales in fiscal 2025; Animal Health 10%.
Who owns Merck stock?
3,969 institutions hold 82% of Merck's shares (Jun 30, 2026); Vanguard, BlackRock and State Street added shares that quarter.
How many employees does Merck have?
Merck had 75,000 employees at the end of fiscal 2025, about as many as a year before.
From the companies' statements (FMP), their filings read by pretickt, the analysts and the insiders, as of Nov 13, 2026. Each card says what a fact means for its question, never what to do with the stock: for information only, not investment advice.