Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is included among the 12 Best DOW Stocks to Buy in 2026.
On January 5, Wells Fargo added Merck & Co., Inc. to its Q1 2026 Tactical Ideas List. Wells said Merck is moving into what it calls a catalyst-rich stretch across FY26 and 2027. The firm expects the stock to find a footing once 2026 guidance clears a near-term overhang. That could open the door for investors ahead of key events in the first half of 2026, including detailed CADENCE results and Phase 3 CD388 data. Wells has an Overweight rating on the shares and a $125 price target.
Merck & Co., Inc. rose nearly 8% in 2025, though the story is not without risk. The company’s flagship cancer drug, Keytruda, is set to lose US patent protection in 2028. International patents extend into the early 2030s, and a newer version of the drug carries protections into the late 2030s. Those layers help soften the longer-term impact of the patent cliff.
The company has also stayed active on the deal front. Merck recently agreed to acquire Cidara Therapeutics for about $9 billion, adding a late-stage flu treatment to its pipeline. Like peers such as Pfizer, Merck has a long track record of navigating patent cycles and emerging stronger on the other side. The dividend adds another layer of stability. With a payout ratio near 45%, the dividend looks well supported and positioned to remain reliable.
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global health care company focused on prescription medicines, including biologics, vaccines, and animal health products.
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