MRK Merck dividend history, payout ratio & dates
Merck's latest dividend of $0.81 per share was on Mar 17, 2025 (ex-date). At an annualized rate of $3.16 per share, the stock yields 3.54%.
Key dates
- MRK last dividend date: Mar 17, 2025
MRK dividend stats
vs. Healthcare sector
Dividend yield
Merck's dividend yield of 3.54% is higher than the Healthcare sector, the industry and its peers average. In comparison with the Healthcare sector average of 2.02%, Merck's dividend yield is 75% higher. The historical 5-year average of MRK's dividend yield is 3.0%, which is lower than the current one.
Dividend history
Merck has a history of paying dividends since 1994. Our records of MRK show that the company has distributed four quarterly dividends in the past year. The annualized dividend per share marks an increase of 5% since twelve months ago. And with the price of the stock down by 32% from a year ago, the dividend yield marks an increase of 56%.
Recent dividends
| Ex-date | Amount | Yield (TTM) |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 17, 2025 | $0.81 | 3.33% |
| Dec 16, 2024 | $0.81 | 3.12% |
| Sep 16, 2024 | $0.77 | 2.61% |
| Jun 17, 2024 | $0.77 | 2.38% |
| Mar 14, 2024 | $0.77 | 2.49% |
| Dec 14, 2023 | $0.77 | 2.8% |
| Sep 14, 2023 | $0.73 | 2.7% |
| Jun 14, 2023 | $0.73 | 2.65% |
| Mar 14, 2023 | $0.73 | 2.65% |
| Dec 14, 2022 | $0.73 | 2.51% |
| Sep 14, 2022 | $0.69 | 3.17% |
| Jun 14, 2022 | $0.69 | 3.22% |
| Mar 14, 2022 | $0.69 | 3.45% |
| Dec 14, 2021 | $0.69 | 3.58% |
| Sep 14, 2021 | $0.65 | 3.61% |
| Jun 14, 2021 | $0.65 | 3.39% |
| Mar 12, 2021 | $0.65 | 3.38% |
| Dec 14, 2020 | $0.65 | 3.09% |
| Sep 14, 2020 | $0.61 | 2.9% |
| Jun 12, 2020 | $0.61 | 3.12% |
| Mar 13, 2020 | $0.61 | 3.02% |
| Dec 13, 2019 | $0.61 | 2.53% |
| Sep 13, 2019 | $0.55 | 2.66% |
| Jun 14, 2019 | $0.55 | 2.57% |
| Mar 14, 2019 | $0.55 | 2.53% |
| Dec 14, 2018 | $0.55 | 2.6% |
| Sep 14, 2018 | $0.48 | 2.74% |
| Jun 14, 2018 | $0.48 | 3.1% |
| Mar 14, 2018 | $0.48 | 3.47% |
| Dec 14, 2017 | $0.48 | 3.37% |
| Sep 14, 2017 | $0.47 | 2.84% |
| Jun 13, 2017 | $0.47 | 2.96% |
| Mar 13, 2017 | $0.47 | 2.9% |
| Dec 13, 2016 | $0.47 | 2.99% |
| Sep 13, 2016 | $0.46 | 2.98% |
| Jun 13, 2016 | $0.46 | 3.26% |
| Mar 11, 2016 | $0.46 | 3.42% |
| Dec 11, 2015 | $0.46 | 3.47% |
| Sep 11, 2015 | $0.45 | 3.46% |
| Jun 11, 2015 | $0.45 | 3.04% |
| Mar 12, 2015 | $0.45 | 3.17% |
Merck dividend payout ratio
Payout ratio
Merck's payout ratio of 46.7% is above the Healthcare sector average but below the industry and its peers average. Compared to its Healthcare sector average of 42.2%, Merck's payout ratio is 11% higher.
Total amount of dividends paid per financial year (from cash flow)
MRK dividend vs peer dividends
| Name | Dividend yield | DPS | Payout ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFE Pfizer Inc | 6.76% | $1.69 | 119% |
| BMY Bristol Myers Squibb Co | 3.97% | $2.42 | N/A |
| MRK Merck & Co Inc | 3.54% | $3.16 | 46.7% |
| NVS Novartis AG | 3.5% | $3.87 | 65.4% |
| JNJ Johnson & Johnson | 2.99% | $4.96 | 84.9% |
| AMGN Amgen Inc | 2.93% | $9.13 | 119.8% |
| ABT Abbott Laboratories | 1.69% | $2.24 | 29.2% |
| LLY ELI LILLY & Co | 0.66% | $5.4 | 45.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Does Merck pay a dividend?
Yes, Merck has been paying dividends for the last 31 years.
When was MRK's last dividend?
Merck's last dividend ex-date was on Mar 17, 2025. The dividend amount was $0.81 per share.
How much dividend does Merck pay (per share)?
MRK's annualized dividend per share is $3.16.
What is Merck's dividend yield?
The current dividend yield of Merck is 3.54%.
How often does Merck pay dividends?
Merck has a quarterly dividend frequency.
What is Merck's dividend payout ratio?
The dividend payout ratio of Merck is 46.7%.
Does Merck pay a good dividend?
Merck's dividend yield is higher than the Healthcare sector average.
Special dividends are included in TTM DPS and yield. Data from 
and Sharadar.