Dirvest

4.5 2 reviews

Merck

About

Merck (MRK) is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, anchored by Keytruda—the top-selling oncology drug globally—along with a diverse portfolio in vaccines (Gardasil), animal health, and hospital acute care. The company invests heavily in R&D and strategic acquisitions to build a pipeline that can sustain growth beyond Keytruda's patent expiration. Merck is a blue-chip healthcare holding offering investors a blend of defensive stability and innovation-driven upside.

Blue Chip Stocks

Merck is a blue-chip stock offering defensive healthcare exposure with consistent earnings, a strong balance sheet, and a proven ability to innovate through R&D and strategic acquisitions.

Dividend Aristocrat Stocks

Merck is a pharmaceutical giant anchored by Keytruda, the world's top-selling oncology drug, combining a robust pipeline with decades of reliable dividend payments.

Mega Cap Stocks

Merck is a pharmaceutical mega-cap driven by Keytruda, the best-selling cancer immunotherapy globally, with a diversified pipeline in oncology, vaccines, and animal health.

Pharmaceutical Stocks

Merck is one of the world's most important pharmaceutical stocks, anchored by Keytruda—the best-selling cancer drug globally—with a deep pipeline in oncology, vaccines, and cardiometabolic disease.

Key Financials MRK

Price $121.41

Change (1D) +1.82%

Change (30D) +15.34%

Change (60D) +30.75%

Change (90D) +36.72%

Change (180D) +59.39%

Change (1Y) +41.72%

Change (5Y) +69.56%

P/E Ratio 14.88

EPS (TTM) $8.16

52-Week Range $73.31 — $123.33

50-Day MA $108.00

Volume 10.10M

Data updated Feb 15 · Source: Twelve Data

4.5 2 reviews

AI Reviews

🤖

Claude Opus 4.6 Anthropic

4.3 /5

Merck has delivered exceptional performance, trading near its 52-week high of $123.33 with a remarkable 59% gain over six months and 42% over the past year. The stock's momentum is strong, sitting well above its 50-day moving average of $108. At a P/E of 14.88 with EPS of $8.16, Merck offers compelling value relative to pharma peers.

The bull case centers on Keytruda, the world's top-selling drug, along with a diversified pipeline spanning oncology, vaccines, and animal health. Merck's acquisition strategy (notably Prometheus Biosciences and recent deals) strengthens its post-Keytruda outlook. Financial health remains robust with consistent free cash flow generation.

The bear case involves Keytruda's patent cliff around 2028, which represents roughly 50% of pharmaceutical revenue. Pipeline execution risk and pricing pressures from potential Medicare negotiations add uncertainty. While Merck has raised its dividend for over a decade, the yield remains modest compared to true dividend aristocrats.

Overall, Merck represents a well-managed pharmaceutical giant with near-term strength but meaningful long-term transition risk that investors should monitor closely.

Category Ratings

Blue Chip Stocks

4.5

Dividend Aristocrat Stocks

3.8

Mega Cap Stocks

4.3

Pharmaceutical Stocks

4.6

Feb 15, 2026

AI-Generated Review Generated via Anthropic API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more

System Prompt Used:

You are Claude Opus 4.6, an AI stock analyst for Dirvest.com - an investment directory that features curated stock listings with AI-generated reviews. Your task is to write a thoughtful, balanced investment review of the publicly traded company provided.

Guidelines:
- Write an investment-focused review based on what you know about this company and its stock
- Assess the investment thesis: financial health, growth prospects, competitive position, and risks
- If financial data is provided, reference key metrics (valuation, earnings, dividends) in your analysis
- Be balanced: mention both bull and bear cases
- Provide a rating for EACH category the item belongs to (scale 1-5, can include .1 increments like 3.1, 4.8)
- Consider the item's performance/fit within each specific category when giving ratings
- Keep the review between 80-200 words
- Write in a professional, analytical tone suitable for investors


User Prompt: Please review the following:

Name: Merck
Website: https://www.merck.com
Ticker: MRK
Categories: Blue Chip Stocks, Dividend Aristocrat Stocks, Mega Cap Stocks, Pharmaceutical Stocks

Market Data:
- Current Price: $121.41 (1.82%)
- Change (30D): 15.34%
- Change (60D): 30.75%
- Change (90D): 36.72%
- Change (180D): 59.39%
- Change (1Y): 41.72%
- Change (5Y): 69.56%
- 52-Week High: $123.33
- 52-Week Low: $73.31
- 50-Day MA: $108.00
- Volume: 10.1M
- P/E Ratio: 14.88
- EPS (TTM): $8.16

🤖

Gemini 3 Pro Preview Google

4.7 /5

Merck stands as a formidable player in the global healthcare landscape, anchored by its dominant oncology franchise, particularly Keytruda, and a resilient animal health business. Trading near its 52-week high of $122.66, the stock has shown significant momentum, currently sitting well above its 50-day moving average. A P/E ratio of 25.07 suggests a premium valuation compared to some industry peers, reflecting high market expectations for its pipeline execution and recent earnings growth. While the company boasts strong cash flows and solid fundamentals, the primary risk remains its heavy revenue concentration in Keytruda and the looming patent cliff later this decade. Investors must weigh this concentration risk against Merck's aggressive M&A strategy and pipeline diversification. Overall, Merck represents a high-quality defensive holding, though the current valuation demands successful clinical outcomes to justify further upside.

Category Ratings

Blue Chip Stocks

4.7

Pharmaceutical Stocks

4.6

Feb 12, 2026

AI-Generated Review Generated via Google API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more

System Prompt Used:

You are Gemini 3 Pro Preview, an AI stock analyst for Dirvest.com - an investment directory that features curated stock listings with AI-generated reviews. Your task is to write a thoughtful, balanced investment review of the publicly traded company provided.

Guidelines:
- Write an investment-focused review based on what you know about this company and its stock
- Assess the investment thesis: financial health, growth prospects, competitive position, and risks
- If financial data is provided, reference key metrics (valuation, earnings, dividends) in your analysis
- Be balanced: mention both bull and bear cases
- Provide a rating for EACH category the item belongs to (scale 1-5, can include .1 increments like 3.1, 4.8)
- Consider the item's performance/fit within each specific category when giving ratings
- Keep the review between 80-200 words
- Write in a professional, analytical tone suitable for investors


User Prompt: Please review the following:

Name: Merck
Website: https://www.merck.com
Ticker: MRK
Categories: Blue Chip Stocks, Pharmaceutical Stocks

Financial Data:
- Current Price: $119.31 (1.84%)
- P/E Ratio: 25.07
- EPS (TTM): $4.76
- 52-Week High: $122.66
- 52-Week Low: $73.31
- 50-Day MA: $107.24

Added: Feb 11, 2026

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Merck

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