MRK
Merck
dividend history, payout ratio & dates
- Stocks
- Healthcare
- NYSE: MRK
- Dividend
Last dividend date: Jun 15, 2026
Dividend yield: 2.91%
Payout ratio: 94.1%
Merck's latest dividend of $0.85 per share was on Jun 15, 2026 (ex-date). At an annualized rate of $3.36 per share, the stock yields 2.91%.
MRK dividend stats
vs. Healthcare sector
Merck Dividend yield
Merck's dividend yield of 2.91% is higher than the Healthcare sector, the industry and its peers average. In comparison with the Healthcare sector average of 1.61%, Merck's dividend yield is 81% higher. The historical 5-year average of MRK's dividend yield is 3.1%, which is higher than the current one.
MRK Dividend history
Merck has a history of paying dividends since 1991. 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. However with the price of the stock up by 46% from a year ago, the dividend yield has a decrease of 28%.
Merck Dividend history chart
| Ex-date | Amount | Yield (TTM) |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 15, 2026 | $0.85 | 2.92% |
| Mar 16, 2026 | $0.85 | 2.88% |
| Dec 15, 2025 | $0.85 | 3.27% |
| Sep 15, 2025 | $0.81 | 4% |
| Jun 16, 2025 | $0.81 | 3.95% |
| 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 94.1% is above the Healthcare sector, the industry and its peers average. Compared to its Healthcare sector average of 38.6%, Merck's payout ratio is 144% 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 | 6.86% | $1.72 | 131.3% |
| BMY Bristol Myers Squibb Co | 4.57% | $2.5 | 70% |
| NVS Novartis AG | 3.2% | $4.77 | 68% |
| MRK Merck & Co Inc | 2.91% | $3.36 | 94.1% |
| AMGN Amgen Inc | 2.84% | $9.8 | 67.7% |
| ABT Abbott Laboratories | 2.78% | $2.44 | 68% |
| JNJ Johnson & Johnson | 2.27% | $5.24 | 60% |
| LLY ELI LILLY & Co | 0.59% | $6.46 | 22.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Does Merck pay a dividend?
Yes, Merck has been paying dividends for the last 35 years.
When was MRK's last dividend?
Merck's last dividend ex-date was on Jun 15, 2026. The dividend amount was $0.85 per share.
How much dividend does Merck pay (per share)?
MRK's annualized dividend per share is $3.36.
What is Merck's dividend yield?
The current dividend yield of Merck is 2.91%.
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 94.1%.
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.