AI PRICE FORECAST
MRK Stock Forecast & AI Price Prediction
Merck & Co. · Healthcare · Drug Manufacturers - General
MRK live signal snapshot
MRK last traded at $147.18, down 0.59% on the session, trading 6.2% below its 52-week high of $156.92 and 61.9% above its 52-week low of $90.90. Our AI model's current call on MRK is HOLD, with 71% confidence. The technical signals aren't aligned enough for a directional call yet. Short-term moving averages are mixed right now, without a clean bullish or bearish stack forming yet. The model's one-month path points toward roughly $149.16 (1.3% from here).
On the 14-day relative strength index, MRK reads 52.9, close to the midpoint, so momentum gives neither side an edge. Its MACD line is above its signal line with a positive histogram (0.20) — upward momentum is accelerating. The 50-day moving average ($146.32) sits 14.1% above the 200-day ($128.25) — a "golden cross" structure that typically supports the longer-term uptrend.
The average 12-month target from 26 Wall Street analysts is $161.53 (range $105.00–$186.00) — 9.7% upside from where MRK trades now. The current recommendation trend leans bullish: 19 Buy/Strong Buy ratings vs 0 Sell/Strong Sell (and 9 Hold).
Live figures from real market data feeds, current as of the last site build. Open the interactive MRK dashboard for numbers updated throughout today's session.
About Merck & Co.
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) is a drug manufacturers - general company in the healthcare sector, headquartered in Rahway, NJ, United States. Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It has a market value of about $362.8 billion and roughly 73,000 full-time employees. With a beta of 0.12, the stock has historically moved less than the overall market.
MRK performance vs. the market
MRK is up 39.8% so far in 2026, ahead of the S&P 500 (+11.4%) and ahead of the healthcare sector fund XLV (+22.1%). On a one-year view it is up 69.7%, 58.2 points better than the S&P 500. The last month (+3.7%) continues the three-month advance (+8.6%).
| Period | MRK | Sector (XLV) | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +3.7% | +11.4% | −2.3% |
| 3 months | +8.6% | +12.2% | −2.3% |
| Year to date | +39.8% | +22.1% | +11.4% |
| 1 year | +69.7% | +28.3% | +11.5% |
Merck & Co. financials at a glance
In the quarter ended Sep 30, 2026, Merck & Co. reported revenue of $18.1 billion and net income of $5.1 billion (a 28.0% net margin). Revenue was up 4.7% from the same quarter a year earlier. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 148.7 on trailing earnings of $0.99 per share. Trailing free cash flow was $14.0 billion, and total debt equals 120% of shareholders' equity.
| Quarter ended | Revenue | Net income |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 | $18.1B | $5.1B |
| Jun 30, 2026 | $16.6B | −$1.3B |
| Mar 31, 2026 | $16.3B | −$4.2B |
| Dec 31, 2025 | $16.4B | $3.0B |
MRK vs. its peers
Against 5 of its largest healthcare peers, MRK's +39.8% year-to-date return beats 4 of them. The strongest of the group this year is Amgen (AMGN, +43.0%).
| Company | Price | YTD | P/E | AI verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merck & Co. (MRK) | $147.18 | +39.8% | 148.7 | HOLD |
| Eli Lilly and (LLY) | $1,437.29 | +33.7% | 46.7 | BUY |
| Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) | $280.41 | +35.5% | 42.6 | BUY |
| AbbVie (ABBV) | $294.98 | +29.1% | 50.7 | BUY |
| Amgen (AMGN) | $468.11 | +43.0% | 27.1 | BUY |
| Gilead Sciences (GILD) | $169.73 | +38.3% | — | BUY |
MRK stock: common questions
What is the MRK stock price target?
26 Wall Street analysts put the average 12-month target at $161.53, in a range of $105.00–$186.00, versus a recent price of $147.18. Stock Pulse 247's model projects about $149.16 over the next month.
Is MRK a buy right now?
Our AI model currently rates MRK a HOLD at 71% confidence. Among analysts, 19 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 9 Hold and 0 Sell. Neither is personal advice — weigh them with your own research and risk tolerance.
How has MRK stock performed this year?
MRK is up 39.8% so far in 2026, ahead of the S&P 500 (+11.4%) and ahead of the healthcare sector fund XLV (+22.1%). On a one-year view it is up 69.7%, 58.2 points better than the S&P 500. The last month (+3.7%) continues the three-month advance (+8.6%).
What is MRK's 52-week high and low?
MRK has traded between $90.90 and $156.92 over the past 52 weeks; at $147.18 it is 6.2% below its 52-week high of $156.92 and 61.9% above its 52-week low of $90.90.
What sector is MRK in, and who are its peers?
MRK is in the healthcare sector (drug manufacturers - general). Its largest peers on Stock Pulse 247 include Eli Lilly and (LLY), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), AbbVie (ABBV), Amgen (AMGN).
How accurate is the MRK forecast?
It's a model estimate from price history, technical indicators and analyst targets, not a guarantee — no model predicts short-term moves reliably. Use it as one input alongside your own research.
How this works: the forecast combines MRK's price history, momentum indicators (RSI, MACD, moving averages), volatility and analyst targets into one estimate. It's a model, not a guarantee.