Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Price Target Analysis
Wall Street analyst price targets, ratings consensus & upside potential · Updated May 1, 2026
Current Price
$113.56
Price Target
$129.31
Target Range
$100.00 — $150.00
Analyst Rating
Buy
Forward P/E22.1x
Trailing P/E15.6x
Forward PEG1.04
Implied Growth-30.2%
Median Target$133.00
Analyst Spread38.7%
Price Forecast (1 Year)
Last 12 months price action with 12-month analyst target path
Bear Case
$100
-11.9%
Consensus
$129
+13.9%
Bull Case
$150
+32.1%
Valuation Model TargetsConfidence: 56/100
Bear$22
Base$133
Bull$136
MRK Price Target Analysis
Updated May 6, 2026As of May 6, 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a Wall Street consensus price target of $129.31, based on estimates from 37 covering analysts. With the stock currently trading at $113.56, this represents a potential upside of +14.3%. The company has a market capitalization of $280.48B.
Analyst price targets range from a low of $100.00 to a high of $150.00, representing a 39% spread in expectations. The median target of $133.00 aligns closely with the consensus average.
The current analyst consensus rating is Buy, with 25 analysts rating the stock as a Buy or Strong Buy,11 rating it Hold, and 1 rating it Sell or Strong Sell. The positive sentiment balance indicates moderate optimism about the stock prospects.
From a valuation perspective, MRK trades at a trailing P/E of 15.6x and forward P/E of 22.1x. The forward PEG ratio of 1.04 indicates reasonable valuation for growth. Analysts expect EPS to grow -30.2% over the next year.
Our proprietary valuation model, which blends historical multiples with forward estimates, suggests a base-case price target of $133.43, with bear and bull scenarios of $22.01 and $136.20 respectively. Model confidence stands at 56/100, reflecting moderate uncertainty in projections.
Investment Context: Price targets represent analyst expectations for the next 12 months and should be considered alongside your own research. Targets are based on analysts' assumptions about earnings growth, margins, and market conditions which may change. For sector-specific context, view other Healthcare stocks.
Analyst Sentiment Comparison
Industry Peer AnalysisAvg Peer Upside+12.7%
Avg Forward P/E14.1x
Peers with Coverage10 / 10
| Company | Market Cap | Price | Target | Upside | Rating | Fwd P/E | Analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PFEPfizer Inc. | $150.8B | $26.50 | $27.27 | +3.1% | Hold | 8.9x | 39 |
 LLYEli Lilly and Company | $932.6B | $987.11 | $1258.47 | +27.4% | Buy | 28.6x | 45 |
 ABBVAbbVie Inc. | $362.6B | $204.98 | $256.64 | +24.5% | Buy | 14.5x | 41 |
 BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Company | $115.4B | $56.54 | $62.00 | +8.9% | Hold | 9.0x | 41 |
 AMGNAmgen Inc. | $178.7B | $331.11 | $350.76 | +6.4% | Buy | 14.8x | 38 |
 JNJJohnson & Johnson | $541.3B | $224.62 | $249.27 | +10.5% | Buy | 19.5x | 40 |
 AZNAstraZeneca PLC | $286.7B | $184.92 | $211.00 | +16.4% | Buy | 17.6x | 41 |
 GSKGSK plc | $101.6B | $50.53 | $52.45 | +4.1% | Hold | 10.4x | 29 |
 NVONovo Nordisk A/S | $154.3B | $45.76 | $47.00 | +4.7% | Buy | 2.1x | 39 |
 GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. | $169.8B | $136.30 | $161.88 | +21.3% | Buy | 15.6x | 58 |
Upside Potential Comparison
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Start ComparisonMRK — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying MRK stock.
What is the MRK stock price target for 2026?
Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) has a consensus 12-month price target of $129.31, implying 14.3% upside from $113.56. The 37 analysts covering MRK see moderate appreciation potential.
Is MRK a buy, sell, or hold?
MRK has a consensus rating of "Buy" based on 37 Wall Street analysts. The rating breakdown is predominantly bullish, with 25 Buy/Strong Buy ratings. The consensus 12-month price target of $129.31 implies 14.3% upside from current levels.
Is MRK stock overvalued or undervalued?
MRK trades at a forward P/E of 22.1016x, representing a moderate valuation. With analysts targeting $129.31 (14.3% implied move), the stock appears reasonably valued with upside.
How high can MRK stock go?
The most bullish Wall Street analyst has a price target of $150 for MRK, while the most conservative target is $100. The consensus of $129.31 represents the median expectation. Our quantitative valuation model projects a bull case target of $136 based on optimistic growth and margin assumptions. These targets typically reflect 12-month expectations.
How many analysts cover MRK stock?
MRK is heavily covered by Wall Street, with 37 analysts providing price targets and ratings. Of these, 0 have Strong Buy ratings, 25 have Buy ratings, 11 recommend Hold, and 1 have Sell or Strong Sell ratings. Higher analyst coverage generally indicates greater institutional interest and more reliable consensus estimates.
What is the MRK stock forecast?
The 12-month MRK stock forecast based on 37 Wall Street analysts shows a consensus price target of $129.31, with estimates ranging from $100 (bear case) to $150 (bull case). The median consensus rating is "Buy". Our proprietary valuation model produces a base case fair value of $133, with bear/bull scenarios of $22/$136.
What is MRK's fair value based on fundamentals?
Our quantitative valuation model calculates MRK's fair value at $133 (base case), with a bear case of $22 and bull case of $136. The model uses discounted cash flow analysis, historical growth rates, and margin mean-reversion to project FY+2 earnings, then applies an appropriate P/E multiple. The model confidence score is 56/100.
What is MRK's forward P/E ratio?
MRK trades at a forward P/E ratio of 22.1x based on next-twelve-months earnings estimates compared to a trailing P/E of 15.6x. The higher forward P/E suggests near-term earnings pressure. A forward P/E is useful for comparing valuations when earnings are expected to change significantly.
Should I buy MRK stock?
Wall Street analysts are optimistic on MRK, with a "Buy" consensus rating and $129.31 price target (14.3% upside). 25 of 37 analysts rate it Buy or Strong Buy. This information is for educational purposes only. Always conduct your own research, consider your financial situation, and consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Why do MRK price targets vary so much?
MRK analyst price targets range from $100 to $150, a 39% moderate spread showing some variance in outlooks. Differences stem from varying assumptions about revenue growth, profit margins, competitive dynamics, and valuation multiples. The $129.31 consensus represents the middle ground. Our model's $22-$136 range provides an independent fundamental perspective.