Merck & Co. (MRK)
NYSEHealth CareDrug Manufacturers - GeneralSnapshot 2026-07-08
$128.87+1.65%
Close 2026-07-07 · 1-day change
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Industries move in repeating boom-and-bust cycles. This shows where this stock’s industry sits in that cycle, stage by stage (recovery → expansion → supercycle → steady → deceleration → contraction), from its fundamentals (orders, revenue, capital spending), not the stock’s price.
A booming industry is a tailwind for the names in it; a contracting one is a headwind. Companies in the same industry tend to rise and fall together with the cycle, the way a tide lifts and lowers every boat in the harbor at once, so a large part of a stock’s swing can come from where its industry sits rather than from the company itself. It’s context for reading the company’s results, not a buy/sell call. Full explanation →
Pharmaceuticals is in steady. Describes the industry's cycle state, not a call on this stock.
The stage band shows the industry’s cycle over the chart’s timeline (each color a stage); a ▼ marks a quarter its growth inflected down — amber is an unconfirmed watch, red is confirmed the next quarter. Use “Overlay cycle on chart” to tint the price chart by stage. The industry’s fundamentals, not a signal on this stock.
Merck's growth in oncology has to keep compounding to justify the price. Revenue grew 5% year over year, and the last quarter beat expectations by 12.9%. It trades at 27× P/E versus a peer median of 26×. The market is pricing in more growth than we forecast, and expectations look full. If Merck cuts guidance after recently raising it, that could hurt credibility. Peer multiples imply a price about 28% below where it trades; this read is provisional.
Trailing returns as of 2026-07-07. MRK is total return (includes dividends); the S&P 500 benchmark is price return (the index excludes dividends).
Based on 29 analysts currently covering MRK (as of Jul 2026).
Based on 6 Wall Street analysts offering 12-month price targets for MRK in the last 4 months.
A consensus fair price across 14 valuation methods, at three horizons. Current price $128.87. As of 2026-07-08. Estimates are diagnostics, not price targets. Short-horizon estimates are close to coin-flips, so confidence is a method-agreement read, not a prediction.
Today's peer multiple on trailing earnings, with no growth credited. This is the headline read.
Adds projected growth, so it leans optimistic by design. Read it as upside context, not a base case.
A price-focused, side-by-side fair-value read versus Pharmaceuticals — fair value, gap to price, and forward P/E.
Advances: Expand oncology pipeline
KEYTRUDA's approval expands oncology pipeline significantly.
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
End-of-day figures as of 2026-07-07. EPS is implied from price ÷ P/E. Not investment advice.
Current $128.87
The last 12 months of price, then the range of analyst 12-month targets from today’s $128.87.
Analyst ratings and price targets are third-party Wall Street estimates, not QuarterlyIQ’s view. Not investment advice.
A long-thesis check that carries the widest uncertainty of the three horizons.
Around the middle on quality vs scored peers
Direction of the business behind the multiple. Bands are backend reads; trailing-12-month basis.
Investigation could impact reputation and operations.
Ongoing investigation may hinder growth prospects.
Investigation could lead to regulatory scrutiny.
Potential legal issues may affect investor confidence.
Investigation could distract from strategic objectives.
Legal challenges may impact operational focus.
Advances: Expand oncology pipeline
Supports expansion of oncology pipeline with new efficacy data.
