MRKHealthcare · Drug Manufacturers - GeneralThe 28 Wall Street analysts covering Merck & Co., Inc. hold a median 12-month price target of $139 — +8.8% from the last close. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model, run across ~4,600 US stocks, ranks it 69 of 100 as at 1 Aug 2026 — in the upper half.
Consensus tells you what everyone already believes. The model scores Merck & Co., Inc. on its factor families — the same systematic rank behind the Ticker Nerd portfolio.
Percentile across ~4,600 US stocks on Ticker Nerd’s systematic factor model. Higher is better. How the model is built and tested
Volatility (100): The share price has been relatively steady.
Growth (36): Sales and profits are flat, shrinking, or growing more slowly than they were.
Size (1): Larger than most of the companies we track — more scrutinised, less often mispriced.
The rank is the raw material. Whether the rules would actually own Merck & Co., Inc. — and when they’d sell — is the membership.
The bullish and bearish analyst opinions on MRK, reported as data — targets and ratings, the market's view beside the model's.
Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
The green dot is the last close — the median target sits +8.8% from it.
Of the 20 most recent actions, 6 moved their price target up and 0 moved it down.
| Date | Firm | Action | Rating | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 July 2026 | Barclays | Maintains | Overweight | $140 → $150 |
| 13 July 2026 | BMO Capital | Maintains | Outperform | — |
| 13 July 2026 | BMO Capital | Maintains | Outperform | $135 → $142 |
| 13 July 2026 | Guggenheim | Maintains | Buy | — |
| 13 July 2026 | Guggenheim | Maintains | Buy | $140 → $145 |
| 13 July 2026 | JP Morgan | Maintains | Overweight | $135 → $140 |
| 13 July 2026 | JP Morgan | Maintains | Overweight | — |
| 9 July 2026 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Equal-Weight | — |
| 9 July 2026 | Morgan Stanley | Maintains | Equal-Weight | $112 → $113 |
| 8 July 2026 | RBC Capital | Reiterates | Outperform | $142 |
| 8 July 2026 | RBC Capital | Reiterates | Outperform | — |
| 8 July 2026 | Wells Fargo | Maintains | Overweight | — |
| 8 July 2026 | Wells Fargo | Maintains | Overweight | $145 → $150 |
| 6 July 2026 | Cantor Fitzgerald | Reiterates | Neutral | — |
| 6 July 2026 | Cantor Fitzgerald | Reiterates | Neutral | $120 |
| 30 June 2026 | B of A Securities | Maintains | Buy | — |
| 30 June 2026 | Scotiabank | Maintains | Sector Outperform | — |
| 24 June 2026 | CICC | Initiates | Outperform | — |
| 6 May 2026 | Citigroup | Reinstates | Neutral | $125 |
| 1 May 2026 | Wells Fargo | Maintains | Overweight | — |
Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
Not the forecast itself — the direction analysts are revising it. Revision direction is one of the model's factor families.
A margin means little on its own. Each bar marks where the figure sits across the whole US universe we score.
Cheaper than 22% of US stocks
Cheaper than 25% of US stocks
Cheaper than 15% of US stocks
Cheaper than 31% of US stocks
Higher than 41% of US stocks
Higher than 43% of US stocks
Higher than 87% of US stocks
Higher than 92% of US stocks
Higher than 76% of US stocks
Higher than 81% of US stocks
Higher than 95% of US stocks
Higher than 58% of US dividend payers
Bars mark the percentile across the ~4,600 US stocks Ticker Nerd covers, among those reporting the figure.
The nearest names by industry and size, scored by the same model — like for like.
Computed off the Friday close and sent before the US open.
Market Radar reports the week’s largest rank changes across roughly 4,600 US stocks, the factor behind each one, and where the market went. MRK appears on the weeks it earns a place.
Merck management discussed HIV program updates and Phase III data from the International AIDS Conference in a transcript, highlighting developments in its HIV pipeline.
Why it matters — MRK watchers would care because updates on HIV Phase III data could affect the outlook for Merck's infectious-disease portfolio.
At an investor event following the International AIDS Conference, Merck outlined its HIV strategy, highlighting Phase III results for a once-weekly oral HIV regimen and plans for a monthly oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) candidate.
Why it matters — MRK watchers would care because Merck is presenting progress in its HIV treatment and prevention pipeline as a notable growth opportunity.
Merck has extended Keytruda's exclusivity through 2039 by launching subcutaneous Qlex and securing other extensions. Recent regulatory approvals, pipeline updates, and acquisitions of Terns and Cidara have broadened Merck's oncology and virology portfolios.
Why it matters — A Merck watcher would care because these developments around Keytruda's extended lifecycle and portfolio expansion could affect the company's long-term revenue outlook beyond the patent cliff.
Merck is scheduled to report its second-quarter 2026 earnings on August 4, before market open. The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects sales of $16.33 billion and a loss of 26 cents per share.
Why it matters — Investors and analysts will be watching to see if Merck's quarterly results match or diverge from the consensus estimates for revenue and earnings.
Zacks Investment Research examines analyst estimates for Merck's Q2 2026 earnings, looking beyond revenue and EPS forecasts to key metrics that could provide deeper insight into the company's potential performance for the quarter ended June 2026.
Why it matters — Merck watchers would care because this analysis highlights additional metrics beyond standard top-and-bottom-line estimates that could signal how the company is actually performing operationally.
The 28 Wall Street analysts covering Merck & Co., Inc. have a median 12-month price target of $139, with estimates ranging from $105 to $155. These are third-party analyst estimates, not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.
Of the 28 analysts covering Merck & Co., Inc., 19 rate it a Buy, 8 a Hold and 1 a Sell. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model ranks Merck & Co., Inc. 69 out of 100 across roughly 4,600 US stocks as at 1 Aug 2026. None of this is personal advice — it does not consider your circumstances.
As at 1 Aug 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. ranks 69 out of 100 on Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model — a percentile across roughly 4,600 US stocks, built from its factor families. Its strongest factor family is Volatility (100 of 100).
No one can know that. What the data says: the median 12-month target from 28 analysts implies +8.8% from the last close, and Ticker Nerd's factor model ranks Merck & Co., Inc. 69 out of 100 as at 1 Aug 2026. Analyst targets are third-party estimates and frequently wrong; none of this is personal advice.
No analyst covering Merck & Co., Inc. publishes a 2030 price target — Wall Street targets run 12 to 18 months out. Sites quoting a 2030 price for MRK are extrapolating price history, which says nothing about the business. The furthest attributed numbers are the current analyst targets: $105 to $155 over the next 12 months.
Merck & Co., Inc. returned +66.5% over the 12 months to 3 Aug 2026, with dividends reinvested. Past performance does not indicate future returns.
Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a leading healthcare company worldwide, specializing in the research, development, and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products and vaccines.
The most recent item we track (Seeking Alpha, 3 Aug 2026): "Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Discusses HIV Program Updates and Phase III Data from International AIDS Conference Transcript". Merck management discussed HIV program updates and Phase III data from the International AIDS Conference in a transcript, highlighting developments in its HIV pipeline.
Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a leading healthcare company worldwide, specializing in the research, development, and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products and vaccines. Its portfolio features prominent human health pharmaceuticals such as Keytruda for oncology treatments, Welireg for specific cancer therapies, and Gardasil for HPV prevention. The company also provides a robust lineup of vaccines including ProQuad, M-M-R II, Varivax, Vaxneuvance, Capvaxive, RotaTeq, and Pneumovax 23, addressing infectious diseases across age groups. Additional offerings include Bridion for surgical care. Merck & Co., Inc. focuses on key therapeutic areas like oncology, vaccines, hospital acute care, and immunology, serving patients, healthcare providers, and global health systems. Through its operations, the company plays a vital role in advancing treatments for serious diseases and preventive health measures. Founded in 1891 and headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, Merck & Co., Inc. maintains a strong presence in the biopharmaceutical sector, contributing to global health solutions.
CEO Mr. Robert M. Davis J.D. · 73,000 employees · United States · https://www.merck.com