Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Set to Release Earnings on Thursday

Key Points

• Merck is expected to report Q3 2026 results before market open on October 29. Analysts forecast earnings of $2.09 per share and revenue of $17.29 billion, compared with full-year EPS guidance of $2.660–$2.760.
• In its previous quarter, Merck exceeded expectations with adjusted EPS of $(0.13) versus a $(0.26) consensus estimate and revenue of $16.61 billion, up 5.1% year over year.
• The stock carries a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and a $151.92 price target, though investors remain focused on KEYTRUDA’s approaching patent cliff, moderating U.S. growth and recent insider selling.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) will likely be posting its Q3 2026 results before the market opens on Thursday, October 29th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $2.09 per share and revenue of $17.29 billion for the quarter. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. Interested persons are encouraged to explore the company's upcoming Q3 2026 earnings report for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.26) by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $16.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $16.37 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 16.73% and a net margin of 4.77%. Merck & Co., Inc.'s revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.13 EPS. On average, analysts expect Merck & Co., Inc. to post $2.66 EPS for the current fiscal year and $9.27 EPS for the next fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

NYSE MRK opened at $149.98 on Thursday. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $146.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $129.88. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The company has a market cap of $370.02 billion, a PE ratio of 119.98, a PEG ratio of 6.85 and a beta of 0.21. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1 year low of $82.01 and a 1 year high of $156.92.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were issued a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.'s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 272.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on MRK. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $137.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, October 5th. Leerink Partners upped their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $127.00 to $161.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 9th. CICC Research initiated coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Wednesday, June 24th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $138.00 price target for the company. Finally, Wolfe Research raised their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $155.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 25th. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $151.92.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Chirfi Guindo sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.00, for a total value of $1,965,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 46,613 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,106,303. This represents a 24.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP David Maraldo sold 18,706 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.72, for a total transaction of $2,407,836.32. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 18,212 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,344,248.64. This represents a 50.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 228,238 shares of company stock worth $29,977,783 over the last ninety days. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Key Merck & Co., Inc. News

Here are the key news stories impacting Merck & Co., Inc. this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The European Commission approved KEYTRUDA plus Padcev as perioperative treatment for adults with resectable muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The expanded indication strengthens Merck’s oncology portfolio, supports additional long-term revenue opportunities and reinforces the commercial value of the two-drug combination. European Commission KEYTRUDA and Padcev approval
• Positive Sentiment: The latest trading session saw Merck outperform the broader market, reflecting investor interest in its strong oncology franchise and recent product catalysts. Merck outperforms the stock market
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck’s participation in the growing bioconjugation and cell-culture-media markets provides potential exposure to expanding biopharmaceutical research demand, but the reports offer no specific financial impact or new company guidance. Bioconjugation market report Cell culture media market report
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports on Merck’s phase 3 melanoma results and ETF selling could influence sentiment, but the available information does not provide enough detail to assess the magnitude or durability of either development. Merck phase 3 melanoma results
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research downgraded Merck from “hold” to “strong sell,” adding selling pressure and highlighting valuation or growth concerns.
• Negative Sentiment: KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX remain Merck’s primary earnings engine, while U.S. growth is expected to moderate as the drug approaches peak penetration. The looming patent cliff and a legal setback affecting subcutaneous KEYTRUDA sales in several European markets increase concerns about Merck’s ability to replace future lost revenue with newer treatments. Merck KEYTRUDA growth and patent cliff analysis

About Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co, Inc is a global healthcare company that develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines, vaccines and animal-health products. Its pharmaceutical business focuses on oncology, infectious diseases, cardiology, immunology and other areas of significant medical need. The company serves patients, healthcare providers and institutions in markets worldwide.

Merck's principal products include Keytruda, an immunotherapy used to treat a range of cancers; Gardasil and Gardasil 9, vaccines that help protect against human papillomavirus; and Januvia and Janumet, medicines used to manage type 2 diabetes.

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