Merck stock hits a record high. Investors track valuation and growth
Published on 08/18/2026 at 16:46 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Merck & Co. (US58933Y1055) stock held near a record level on August 18, 2026, with MRK trading at $135.77 in one live quote snapshot and a market capitalization of $334.89 billion. The move keeps the shares within $1.39 of the session high of $137.17 and close to the 52-week range top of $137.17.
Shares stay near the top
The latest intraday reading showed MRK down $0.085, or 0.06%, from the prior close of $135.85, while another market snapshot put the shares at $137.54, up 1.16%, with a market capitalization of $339.34 billion. That gap shows how tightly the stock is trading around the high end of its range on August 18, 2026.
The valuation backdrop is heavy. The same live quote pages placed Merck at 38.12 to 110.10 times trailing earnings, depending on the venue and timing, while the 52-week range stretches from $77.58 to $137.32.
Latest reported quarter
The most recent reported quarter in the available market data was the March 2026 period, with revenue of $15.8 billion and adjusted EPS of $2.22. That marked a year-over-year revenue increase from the prior period and gave the stock a current earnings base that still supports the market's focus on profit growth.
Merck's trailing EPS was listed at $3.21 on one quote page, which helps explain why the shares trade at a premium despite the wide range in reported valuation ratios. For investors, the key comparison is simple: the stock is priced far above the $77.58 low of the past year while the latest reported quarter still shows double-digit billion-dollar sales.
Key product driver
Keytruda remains the central product in Merck's oncology franchise and the clearest reference point for the company's revenue mix. The drug is still the product investors watch when they compare quarterly sales momentum with the stock's current valuation.
Price and market view
As of August 18, 2026, the quoted prices cluster around $135.77 to $137.54, with market value readings from $334.89 billion to $339.34 billion. The shares are trading close to the upper end of the 52-week band, and that keeps every earnings update and product update tied directly to valuation.
Fact box
Company: Merck & Co., Inc.
ISIN: US58933Y1055
Ticker: MRK
Exchange: NYSE
Price (as of August 18, 2026, 9:58 a.m. ET): $137.73 USD
Market cap: $335.46 billion
Sector / Industry: Health Care / Pharmaceuticals
Index membership: S&P 500
