MRK Dividend History & Analysis | 3.7% Yield

MRK has a dividend yield of 3.7% and paid 4.13 USD per share in the last 12M. Complete payout history, full analyses and peer comparison.

Yield 12m 3.70%
Payout Ratio 36.6%
Growth Rate CAGR 5y 5.58%
Consistency Lifetime 97.7%
Yield on Cost 5y 6.76%
Payout FCF 58.4%
Streak Years 56
Dividend Rating 71.43%

Dividends Cash Amount per Share Yearly

This chart shows the yearly cash amount paid as dividends per share. The exact values for each year can be found in the structured dataset with the html-id #yearly_dividend_dataset below.
Dividend Growth Year over Year This chart shows the annual dividend growth rate compared to the previous year.
5 Years Chart with Price and Dividend Yield This chart shows the dividend yield and price over time. Price is displayed as gray area (left axis), yield as dark blue line (right axis), and average yield as orange dashed line.
■ Yield (right) | ■ Price (left) | ┅ Avg Yield
Total Return 12m: 43.7%
Total Return 5y: 99.6%

Top Dividend Payers in Pharmaceuticals

Top 5 Dividend Yields of Peer-Group
Symbol Market Cap USD Dividend Yield TTM Yield on Cost 5y
SIGA 480 M 10.4% 12.2%
GS71 118,497 M 4.22% 7.28%
BMY 113,778 M 4.98% 5.04%
SAN 113,221 M 4.30% 5.91%
SNY 114,158 M 4.43% 5.55%
Top 5 Dividend Growth Rates of Peer-Group
Symbol Market Cap USD Growth Rate Consistency
ZTS 54,250 M 18.9% 100%
VIRP 3,475 M 17.9% 82.1%
LLY 915,139 M 15.3% 99.5%
BMY 113,778 M 14.0% 92.6%
SIGA 480 M 10.1% 98.0%

Quality Dividend Peers in Pharmaceuticals

BMY
Bristol-Myers Squibb
 4.98% Yield
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
 3.02% Yield
NVS
Novartis
 3.68% Yield
IPN
Ipsen
 1.34% Yield

MRK Dividend History: Last 50 Payments (USD) as of February 2026

Ex-Dividend Date Record Date Payment Date Period Dividend per Share Dividend Growth Rate QoQ Payout Yield
2026-03-16 2026-03-16 2026-04-07 0.85 0% N/A
2025-12-15 2025-12-15 2026-01-08 Quarterly 0.85 4.9% 0.85%
2025-09-15 2025-09-15 2025-10-07 Quarterly 0.81 0% 0.99%
2025-06-16 2025-06-16 2025-07-08 Quarterly 0.81 0% 1%
2025-03-17 2025-03-17 2025-04-07 Quarterly 0.81 0% 0.86%
2024-12-16 2024-12-16 2025-01-08 Quarterly 0.81 5.2% 0.8%
2024-09-16 2024-09-16 2024-10-07 Quarterly 0.77 0% 0.66%
2024-06-17 2024-06-17 2024-07-08 Quarterly 0.77 0% 0.6%
2024-03-14 2024-03-15 2024-04-05 Quarterly 0.77 0% 0.63%
2023-12-14 2023-12-15 2024-01-08 Quarterly 0.77 5.5% 0.72%
2023-09-14 2023-09-15 2023-10-06 Quarterly 0.73 0% 0.68%
2023-06-14 2023-06-15 2023-07-10 Quarterly 0.73 0% 0.67%
2023-03-14 2023-03-15 2023-04-10 Quarterly 0.73 0% 0.69%
2022-12-14 2022-12-15 2023-01-09 Quarterly 0.73 5.8% 0.66%
2022-09-14 2022-09-15 2022-10-07 Quarterly 0.69 0% 0.79%
2022-06-14 2022-06-15 2022-07-08 Quarterly 0.69 0% 0.81%
2022-03-14 2022-03-15 2022-04-07 Quarterly 0.69 0% 0.89%
2021-12-14 2021-12-15 2022-01-07 Quarterly 0.69 6.2% 0.95%
2021-09-14 2021-09-15 2021-10-07 Quarterly 0.65 0% 0.89%
2021-06-14 2021-06-15 2021-07-07 Quarterly 0.65 0% 0.86%
2021-03-12 2021-03-15 2021-04-07 Quarterly 0.65 0% 0.88%
2020-12-14 2020-12-15 2021-01-08 Quarterly 0.65 6.6% N/A
2020-09-14 2020-09-15 2020-10-07 Quarterly 0.61 0% N/A
2020-06-12 2020-06-15 2020-07-07 Quarterly 0.61 0% N/A
2020-03-13 2020-03-16 2020-04-07 Quarterly 0.61 0% N/A
2019-12-13 2019-12-16 2020-01-08 Quarterly 0.61 10.9% N/A
2019-09-13 2019-09-16 2019-10-07 Quarterly 0.55 0% N/A
2019-06-14 2019-06-17 2019-07-08 Quarterly 0.55 0% N/A
2019-03-14 2019-03-15 2019-04-05 Quarterly 0.55 0% N/A
2018-12-14 2018-12-17 2019-01-08 Quarterly 0.55 14.6% N/A
2018-09-14 2018-09-17 2018-10-05 Quarterly 0.48 0% N/A
2018-06-14 2018-06-15 2018-07-09 Quarterly 0.48 0% N/A
2018-03-14 2018-03-15 2018-04-06 Quarterly 0.48 0% N/A
2017-12-14 2017-12-15 2018-01-08 Quarterly 0.48 2.1% N/A
2017-09-14 2017-09-15 2017-10-06 Quarterly 0.47 0% N/A
2017-06-13 2017-06-15 2017-07-10 Quarterly 0.47 0% N/A
2017-03-13 2017-03-15 2017-04-07 Quarterly 0.47 0% N/A
2016-12-13 2016-12-15 2017-01-09 Quarterly 0.47 2.2% N/A
2016-09-13 2016-09-15 2016-10-07 Quarterly 0.46 0% N/A
2016-06-13 2016-06-15 2016-07-08 Quarterly 0.46 0% N/A
2016-03-11 2016-03-15 2016-04-07 Quarterly 0.46 0% N/A
2015-12-11 2015-12-15 2016-01-08 Quarterly 0.46 2.2% N/A
2015-09-11 2015-09-15 2015-10-07 Quarterly 0.45 0% N/A
2015-06-11 2015-06-15 2015-07-08 Quarterly 0.45 0% N/A
2015-03-12 2015-03-16 2015-04-08 Quarterly 0.45 0% N/A
2014-12-11 2014-12-15 2015-01-08 Quarterly 0.45 2.3% N/A
2014-09-11 2014-09-15 2014-10-07 Quarterly 0.44 0% N/A
2014-06-12 2014-06-16 2014-07-08 Quarterly 0.44 0% N/A
2014-03-13 2014-03-17 2014-04-07 Quarterly 0.44 0% N/A
2013-12-12 2013-12-16 2014-01-08 Quarterly 0.44 0% N/A

MRK Dividend FAQ

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) is a global, diversified healthcare firm that markets prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products. Its human-health portfolio includes flagship immuno-oncology agents such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and a broad vaccine suite (e.g., Gardasil, Varivax, Vaxneuvance). The veterinary segment spans livestock solutions (e.g., Nuflor, Bovilis) and companion-animal brands (e.g., Bravecto, Nobivac NXT). The company also maintains a network of development and commercialization agreements with partners such as Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Eisai, Bayer, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, Moderna, and Antengene.

What is the Dividend Yield of MRK?

As of February 2026, MRK`s dividend yield is 3.70%. This is calculated by dividing the trailing 12-month dividend rate (TTM rate) of 4.13 USD by the current share price of 121.93.

Does MRK pay a dividend?

As of February 2026, MRK paid a dividend of 4.13 USD in the last 12 months. The last dividend was paid on 2026-03-16 and the payout was 0.85 USD.

How often does MRK pay dividends?

MRK pays dividends quarterly. Over the last 12 months, MRK has issued 5 dividend payments. The last dividend payment was made on 2026-03-16.

MRK dividend forecast

Based on historical data, the forecasted dividends per share for MRK for the next 4 payments are between 0.749 (-11.9%) and 0.8 (-5.9%).
This indicates a moderate dividend reduction compared to the last payment.

Will MRK pay dividends in 2026?

The latest dividend paid per share was 0.85 USD with an Ex-Dividend Date of 2026-03-16. The next Ex-Dividend date for Merck (MRK) is 2026-03-16.

What is the next Ex-Dividend Date for MRK?

The next Ex-Dividend date for Merck (MRK) is 2026-03-16.

What is the Dividend Growth of MRK?

MRK's average dividend growth rate over the past 5 years is 5.58% per year.
Strong growth: MRK's Dividend growth is outpacing inflation.

What is the Yield on Cost of MRK?

MRK's 5-Year Yield on Cost is 6.76%. If you bought MRK's shares at 61.09 USD five years ago, your current annual dividend income (4.13 USD per share, trailing 12 months) equals 6.76% of your original purchase price.

What is the Payout Consistency of MRK?

MRK Payout Consistency is 97.7%. The payout consistency is a proprietary measure of how consistently a company has paid dividends over its lifetime and blends growth rate, number of dividend payments, interruptions or lowering dividends into one number.
Very consistent: Merck has a strong track record of consistent dividend payments over its lifetime.

Does MRK have a good Dividend Yield?

MRK`s 3.70% Dividend Yield is considered as moderate. This is usually a sign of a value company.

What is the Dividend Payout Ratio of MRK?

The Dividend Payout Ratio of MRK is 36.6%. Healthy - Leaves room for growth and provides some protection to maintain dividends even in a recession.

What is the Dividend Rating of MRK?

MRK`s Overall Dividend Rating is 71.43%. Ratings surpassing 65% are regarded as acceptable, exceeding 75% are favorable and surpassing 85% are strong.

MRK Outstanding Shares Analysis

What is the Trend in MRK's Outstanding Shares?

Merck's outstanding shares have decreased by approximately 1.3% annually over the past 3 years (Trend Reliability: -100.0%).

Slightly positive: The company is modestly reducing its share count through buybacks. This provides a small tailwind to earnings per share and dividend sustainability.

Has MRK ever had a Stock Split?

Yes, the last stock split was on Jun 3, 2021 with a ratio of 1048:1000.

This was a forward split: Each share became 1.05 shares, lowering the price proportionally. The dividend per share was also adjusted downward by the same ratio, so total dividend income remained unchanged.

Year Number of Shares Annual Growth Rate
1985 2,591,748,000
1986 2,539,586,000 -2.01%
1987 2,465,280,000 -2.93%
1988 2,366,342,000 -4.01%
1989 2,297,058,800 -2.93%
1990 2,325,000,000 +1.22%
1991 2,301,666,700 -1%
1992 2,301,785,700 +0.01%
1993 2,276,451,600 -1.1%
1994 2,443,225,800 +7.33%
1995 2,468,000,000 +1.01%
1996 2,429,285,700 -1.57%
1997 2,376,326,500 -2.18%
1998 2,361,900,000 -0.61%
1999 2,317,500,000 -1.88%
2000 2,303,700,000 -0.6%
2001 2,271,300,000 -1.41%
2002 2,249,900,000 -0.94%
2003 2,237,000,000 -0.57%
2004 2,218,500,000 -0.83%
2005 2,194,000,000 -1.1%
2006 2,175,200,000 -0.86%
2007 2,179,285,700 +0.19%
2008 2,128,500,000 -2.33%
2009 2,109,100,000 -0.91%
2010 3,079,918,600 +46.03%
2011 3,069,000,000 -0.35%
2012 3,074,000,000 +0.16%
2013 2,959,000,000 -3.74%
2014 2,880,000,000 -2.67%
2015 2,813,000,000 -2.33%
2016 2,776,000,000 -1.32%
2017 2,715,000,000 -2.2%
2018 2,634,000,000 -2.98%
2019 2,559,000,000 -2.85%
2020 2,540,000,000 -0.74%
2021 2,535,000,000 -0.2%
2022 2,548,000,000 +0.51%
2023 2,554,166,700 +0.24%
2024 2,541,000,000 -0.52%
2025 2,488,000,000 -2.09%

Key Metric Definitions

Dividend Yield
Annual dividend per share divided by current share price.
Payout Ratio
Percentage of earnings paid as dividends. Below 60% = safe, above 100% = unsustainable.
Payout FCF
Percentage of Free Cash Flow paid as dividends. More reliable than Payout Ratio since it measures actual cash.
Growth Rate (CAGR)
Compound annual growth rate of dividends over the last 5 years.
Consistency
Reliability of dividend payments over lifetime. Penalizes cuts and pauses.
Yield on Cost
Your effective yield if you bought 5 years ago. Shows dividend growth impact over time.
Streak
Consecutive years of dividend payments. 25+ years = Dividend Aristocrat.
Dividend Rating
Proprietary score (0-100) combining yield, growth, safety and consistency.

Last update: 2026-02-03 04:21