Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is included among the 11 Defensive Healthcare Dividend Stocks to Buy Now.
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Merck & Co., Inc. is a global pharmaceutical company recognized for its strong oncology lineup, led by its flagship drug Keytruda, the top-selling medicine in the world. The company also produces treatments for diabetes, as well as vaccines for HPV and chickenpox.
In recent years, Merck & Co., Inc. has been actively expanding through acquisitions. During 2024, it purchased Harpoon Therapeutics, Abceutics, EyeBio, and Modifi Biosciences. In 2025, it followed up with the $3.4 billion acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics. The company is also navigating a leadership transition.
Analysts remain optimistic about Merck & Co., Inc. outlook. On October 13, Citi resumed coverage of MRK with a Neutral rating and raised its price target to $95 from $84. The firm highlighted Keytruda Qlex, Winrevair, and Merck’s broader drug pipeline as key areas of investor focus.
Merck & Co., Inc. also stands out for its consistent dividend growth, having raised its payouts for 16 consecutive years. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.81 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.81%, as of October 14.
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