Fundamental analysis · SEC EDGAR · TTM through 31/03/2026

Fundamental analysis of Merck & Co., Inc.

MRK · NYSE · Healthcare

Fundamental quality

REASONABLE

71

out of 100

Merck & Co., Inc. runs like a cash machine: it converts about 21.5% of revenue into free cash flow and holds a 13.6% net margin, though it grows at a measured pace. On fundamental quality it scores 71 out of 100, profiling it as a company of reasonable quality. Its weakest area is its growth (revenue +9.2%/yr). Whether it's cheap or expensive depends on the current price, which you can compute in the tool.

What the company does

Merck is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. Its business depends largely on a blockbuster cancer drug (Keytruda), plus vaccines and animal health.

What will shape its future

  • Its heavy reliance on Keytruda and the expiry of its patent late this decade.
  • Its ability to refresh the pipeline with new drugs, in-house or acquired.
  • Pressure on U.S. drug prices and competition.

Breakdown by area

I.Growth
51

EPS growth: 4.8% · Revenue growth: 9.2%

II.Profitability
78

Net margin: 13.6% · ROE: 19.5% · ROIC: 11.3%

III.Financial health
76

Net debt/EBITDA: 2.69x · FCF: 21.5%

Source: SEC EDGAR · TTM through 31/03/2026

The score includes +3 for dividend strength: 15 consecutive years of increases. Keeping that streak demands growing cash generation and balance-sheet discipline.

The score combines growth, profitability and financial strength. Here its profitability weighs in its favor, while its growth drags it down the most.

Versus its sector

Percentile against the other 57 Healthcare companies in our coverage: how far it beats them on each metric (100 = best in sector).

Net marginbeats 59%
ROEbeats 65%
Growthbeats 56%
Cash generationbeats 76%
Less debtbeats 38%

Computed from the daily dataset scores. A high percentile places the company among the best in its sector on that metric; it is not a buy recommendation.

Key concepts

What do these metrics mean? Fundamental analysis · What is the P/E · What is EPS · What is ROE · Net & gross margin · Free cash flow

Merck & Co., Inc. strengths

  • Excellent free-cash-flow generation (FCF margin of 21.5%): profit turns into real cash.
  • Expanding margins: net margin has risen from 17% to 28% in recent years.
  • Strong return on equity (ROE of 19.5%): it puts shareholder capital to good use.
  • Revenue rising without interruption since 2020.

Merck & Co., Inc. risks and weaknesses

  • Its net debt has grown over the period.

Merck & Co., Inc. historical evolution

YearRevenueNet incomeFree cash flowNet debt
202041,5187,0675,82423,750
202148,70413,04925,004
202259,28314,51914,70718,006
202360,1153659,14328,259
202464,16817,11718,09623,858
202565,01118,25412,36034,735

Between 2020 and 2025, revenue went from $41,518M to $65,011M (+57%) and net income went from $7,067M to $18,254M (+158%). Meanwhile, its margins have widened (from 17% to 28%).

Annual figures in millions of U.S. dollars ($M) per SEC filings. Net debt is total debt minus cash.

Latest results

Versus the same period a year earlier

Figures for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, versus the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (SEC filings):

  • Revenue+4.9%
  • Net income-183.5%

Automatic comparison between the two most recent periods filed with the SEC. One quarter doesn't make a trend: read it alongside the historical evolution above.

Dividend

$3.28

per share, yearly

44.8% of earnings

Payout

15 straight years raising it

Growth

The dividend yield depends on today's price. Compute it in the analyzer → · See all dividend-paying stocks →

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Is Merck & Co., Inc. cheap or expensive?

That depends on the current price. Look it up, enter it in the tool and get the full valuation verdict (P/E against its sector).

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Frequently asked questions

Is Merck & Co., Inc. a good company to invest in?

In terms of business quality, Merck & Co., Inc. scores 71 out of 100 in our analysis, placing it as a company of reasonable quality. That said, this isn't a recommendation: whether it's a good investment also depends on its current price and your goals.

Is Merck & Co., Inc. a profitable company?

Yes. Merck & Co., Inc. shows a net margin of 13.6% and an ROE of 19.5%, a sign of a profitable business.

Does Merck & Co., Inc. have a lot of debt?

A moderate level: its net debt is 2.69 times its EBITDA.

Is Merck & Co., Inc. growing?

Its revenue has grown 9.2% annualized in recent years and its earnings per share 4.8%, and without interruption since 2020.

Does Merck & Co., Inc. generate cash?

Yes. It converts about 21.5% of its revenue into free cash flow, and has done so positively year after year.

The thresholds are general and the system doesn't judge qualitative factors. See the full methodology and use this analysis as a first filter, never as a final decision.

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