Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is included among the 11 Defensive Healthcare Dividend Stocks to Buy Now.
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Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a global pharmaceutical company recognized for its strong oncology lineup, led by its flagship drug Keytruda, the top-selling medicine in the world. The company also produces treatments for diabetes, as well as vaccines for HPV and chickenpox.
In recent years, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has been actively expanding through acquisitions. During 2024, it purchased Harpoon Therapeutics, Abceutics, EyeBio, and Modifi Biosciences. In 2025, it followed up with the $3.4 billion acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics. The company is also navigating a leadership transition.
Analysts remain optimistic about Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) outlook. On October 13, Citi resumed coverage of MRK with a Neutral rating and raised its price target to $95 from $84. The firm highlighted Keytruda Qlex, Winrevair, and Merck’s broader drug pipeline as key areas of investor focus.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) also stands out for its consistent dividend growth, having raised its payouts for 16 consecutive years. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.81 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.81%, as of October 14.
While we acknowledge the potential of MRK as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
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