MRK vs WST
Merck & Co., Inc. compared with West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
TTM yield · Quarterly
WST
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- MRK yields more today: 2.29% vs 0.26% (forward).
- MRK has grown its payout faster: 6.3%/yr vs 5.3%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- WST has the longer streak of annual increases: 23 years vs 15.
- Over the last year MRK delivered the higher total return: +80.5% vs +37.3% (price change plus payouts).
- WST raises fewer payout-risk flags on our heuristic (low vs low).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | MRK | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $148.46 | $338.11 |
| TTM yield | 2.26% | 0.26% |
| Forward yield | 2.29% | 0.26% |
| Annual payout per share | $3.40 | $0.88 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 15, 2026 (declared) | Oct 28, 2026 (est.) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 269% | 11% |
| 1-year payout growth | +5.0% | +4.8% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +6.3% | +5.3% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 15 years | 23 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 95/100 | 96/100 |
| 1-year total return | +80.5% | +37.3% |
| 1-year price return | +76.5% | +36.9% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 366.3B | 23.8B |
| Years paying | 64.5 | 39.6 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Low | Low |
| Sector / category | Healthcare | Healthcare |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| MRK | WST | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 67.4 | 29.6 |
| Income per year | $229 | $26 |
| Income per month (avg) | $19 | $2 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRK Sep 15, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | $0.85 | Declared |
| MRK Dec 15, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | $0.85 | Est. |
| MRK Mar 16, 2027 | Mar 30, 2027 | $0.85 | Est. |
| WST Oct 28, 2026 | Nov 11, 2026 | $0.22 | Est. |
| WST Jan 27, 2027 | Feb 10, 2027 | $0.22 | Est. |
| WST Apr 28, 2027 | May 12, 2027 | $0.22 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
MRKWST
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, MRK or WST?
MRK currently has the higher trailing yield: MRK yields 2.26% and WST yields 0.26%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do MRK and WST pay?
MRK pays every quarter and WST pays every quarter. MRK's next ex-date is Sep 15, 2026 and WST's is Oct 28, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, MRK or WST?
MRK has grown its payout faster: 6.3%/yr vs 5.3%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is MRK or WST better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. MRK and WST differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.