MRK Dividend History & Yield
Merck & Co., Inc. · NYSE
Upcoming dividend payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Per 100 shares | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 (in 51 days) | Dec 29, 2026 | $0.85 | $85.00 | Estimated |
| Tue, Mar 16, 2027 (in 142 days) | Mar 30, 2027 | $0.85 | $85.00 | Estimated |
| Tue, Jun 15, 2027 (in 233 days) | Jun 29, 2027 | $0.85 | $85.00 | Estimated |
| Tue, Sep 14, 2027 (in 324 days) | Sep 28, 2027 | $0.85 | $85.00 | Estimated |
Estimated dates and amounts are projected from MRK's recent payment pattern and will be replaced by declared figures when the company announces them. Total over the next 12 months: about $3.40 per share.
Dividend payment history
Last 40 payments per share. RegularSpecial
Annual dividends per share
How much MRK do you need for monthly income?
| Target income | Shares needed | Capital at today's price | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 / month | 353 | $51,272 | $1,200 |
| $500 / month | 1,765 | $256,359 | $6,000 |
| $1,000 / month | 3,530 | $512,718 | $12,000 |
Based on the forward yield of 2.34%. $10,000 in MRK would currently pay about $234 a year ($20 a month on average). Model reinvestment and growth →
MRK dividend history
| Ex-date | Pay date | Amount | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2026 | — | $0.85 | +0.0% |
| Jun 15, 2026 | — | $0.85 | +0.0% |
| Mar 16, 2026 | — | $0.85 | +0.0% |
| Dec 15, 2025 | — | $0.85 | +4.9% |
| Sep 15, 2025 | — | $0.81 | +0.0% |
| Jun 16, 2025 | — | $0.81 | +0.0% |
| Mar 17, 2025 | — | $0.81 | +0.0% |
| Dec 16, 2024 | — | $0.81 | +5.2% |
| Sep 16, 2024 | — | $0.77 | +0.0% |
| Jun 17, 2024 | — | $0.77 | +0.0% |
| Mar 14, 2024 | — | $0.77 | +0.0% |
| Dec 14, 2023 | — | $0.77 | +5.5% |
| Sep 14, 2023 | — | $0.73 | +0.0% |
| Jun 14, 2023 | — | $0.73 | +0.0% |
| Mar 14, 2023 | — | $0.73 | +0.0% |
| Dec 14, 2022 | — | $0.73 | +5.8% |
| Sep 14, 2022 | — | $0.69 | +0.0% |
| Jun 14, 2022 | — | $0.69 | +0.0% |
| Mar 14, 2022 | — | $0.69 | +0.0% |
| Dec 14, 2021 | — | $0.69 | +6.2% |
| Sep 14, 2021 | — | $0.65 | +0.0% |
| Jun 14, 2021 | — | $0.65 | +4.8% |
| Mar 12, 2021 | — | $0.6202 | +0.0% |
| Dec 14, 2020 | — | $0.6202 | +6.6% |
MRK dividend increases & cuts
Market-wide changes →| Ex-date | Change | Old | New | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 2025 | Raised 4.9% | $0.81 | $0.85 | Paid |
Detected from the regular payment stream; supplemental and special dividends are excluded. Pro members get an email the morning a holding raises or cuts.
Payout risk check
MRK scores 20/100 on our yield-trap heuristic (low risk).
1 warning flag raised:
- Payout ratio above 100% of earnings
This is a rule-based screen computed from public data, not a rating or a recommendation. Read our guide to yield traps for what the signals mean.
About Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It offers human health pharmaceutical for various areas under the Keytruda, Keytruda Qlex, Welireg, Gardasil, ProQuad, M-M-R II, Varivax, Vaxneuvance, Capvaxive, RotaTeq, Pneumovax 23, Bridion, Prevymis, Dificid, Zerbaxa, Winrevair, Adempas/ Verquvo, Ohtuvayre, Lagevrio, Isentress/Isentress HD, Delstrigo, Pifeltro, Belsomra, Januvia, and Janumet brands.
Sector: Healthcare. Industry: Drug Manufacturers - General. First dividend on our records: Mar 6, 1962. 256 payments tracked. Data last refreshed Oct 24, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll fix it.
MRK dividend FAQ
When is MRK's next ex-dividend date?
MRK's next ex-dividend date is Dec 15, 2026 (in 51 days, estimated from its quarterly schedule). You must own the shares before that date to receive the payment of about $0.85 per share, expected on Dec 29, 2026.
How often does MRK pay dividends?
MRK pays dividends every quarter, 4 times a year. The most recent payment was $0.85 per share with an ex-date of Sep 15, 2026.
What is MRK's dividend yield?
MRK's trailing 12-month dividend yield is 2.34%, based on $3.40 per share paid over the last year and a share price of $145.27. The forward yield, using the indicated annual rate of $3.40 per share, is 2.34%.
How much does MRK pay per share?
MRK pays about $0.85 per share each quarter, which works out to roughly $3.40 per share a year. 100 shares would collect about $340.00 a year.
Has MRK grown or cut its dividend?
MRK has raised its annual dividend for 15 consecutive years. Over the last 5 years the regular payout has grown at 6.0% a year (+4.9% over the last year). There has been no cut to a regular payment in the last 5 years.
How many shares of MRK do I need to earn $100 a month?
At the current forward yield of 2.34%, you would need about 353 shares of MRK (roughly $51,272 invested at today's price) to collect $1,200 a year, or $100 a month on average, before taxes. Payments arrive every quarter, so the monthly figure is an average.
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