Merck (MRK) dividend history and yield
Dividend summary
- Frequency
- Quarterly
- Trailing 12 months
- $3.40
- Forward yield
- 2.39%
- Payout ratio
- 105.9%
- Growth streak
- 5 years
Merck pays a quarterly dividend of $0.85 per share. Its most recent payment had an ex-date of September 15, 2026 and is payable on October 7, 2026. Over the trailing twelve months, it paid $3.40 per share, a yield of about 2.4% at a share price of $144.30.
The record shows a steady yearly pattern. Merck has raised its dividend once a year, each time with the payment that goes ex-dividend in December. The rate went from $0.69 to $0.73 in December 2022, then to $0.77 in 2023, $0.81 in 2024 and $0.85 in 2025. Every raise was four cents, which works out to between 4.9% and 5.8% as the base grew. Since late 2021, the quarterly rate has risen about 23%, or roughly 5.4% a year. Payments by calendar year rose from $2.80 in 2022 to $3.28 in 2025. The company has increased its dividend for five consecutive years.
The rate has held at $0.85 for four payments since the last raise. If the pattern holds, the next payment would go ex-dividend in mid-December 2026 and be paid in early January 2027. That is the payment where each past raise has appeared.
Dividend per share by year
Dividend history
| Declared | Ex-dividend date | Pay date | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | $0.85 |
| May 26, 2026 | Jun 15, 2026 | Jul 8, 2026 | $0.85 |
| Jan 27, 2026 | Mar 16, 2026 | Apr 7, 2026 | $0.85 |
| Nov 18, 2025 | Dec 15, 2025 | Jan 8, 2026 | $0.85 |
| Jul 22, 2025 | Sep 15, 2025 | Oct 7, 2025 | $0.81 |
| May 27, 2025 | Jun 16, 2025 | Jul 8, 2025 | $0.81 |
| Jan 28, 2025 | Mar 17, 2025 | Apr 7, 2025 | $0.81 |
| Nov 19, 2024 | Dec 16, 2024 | Jan 8, 2025 | $0.81 |
| Jul 23, 2024 | Sep 16, 2024 | Oct 7, 2024 | $0.77 |
| May 28, 2024 | Jun 17, 2024 | Jul 8, 2024 | $0.77 |
| Jan 23, 2024 | Mar 14, 2024 | Apr 5, 2024 | $0.77 |
| Nov 28, 2023 | Dec 14, 2023 | Jan 8, 2024 | $0.77 |
| Jul 25, 2023 | Sep 14, 2023 | Oct 6, 2023 | $0.73 |
| May 23, 2023 | Jun 14, 2023 | Jul 10, 2023 | $0.73 |
| Jan 24, 2023 | Mar 14, 2023 | Apr 10, 2023 | $0.73 |
| Nov 29, 2022 | Dec 14, 2022 | Jan 9, 2023 | $0.73 |
| Jul 26, 2022 | Sep 14, 2022 | Oct 7, 2022 | $0.69 |
| May 24, 2022 | Jun 14, 2022 | Jul 8, 2022 | $0.69 |
| Jan 25, 2022 | Mar 14, 2022 | Apr 7, 2022 | $0.69 |
| Nov 30, 2021 | Dec 14, 2021 | Jan 7, 2022 | $0.69 |
Frequently asked questions
Does Merck (MRK) pay a dividend?
Yes. Merck pays a quarterly dividend; the most recent payment was $0.85 per share.
What is MRK's dividend yield?
Merck paid $3.40 per share over the trailing twelve months, a yield of 2.39% at the last price of $141.98. Click here to learn more
When is MRK's most recent ex-dividend date?
Merck's most recent ex-dividend date is Sep 15, 2026, payable on Oct 7, 2026.
What is the difference between ex and payment dates?
An ex-date is the cutoff day for ownership, the payment date is when the distribution actually happens. Click here to learn more
Has MRK been raising its dividend?
Yes — Merck has increased its dividend for 5 consecutive calendar years.
Dividend amounts and dates are supplied by third parties and may be revised. Declaring, raising, cutting or suspending a dividend is entirely at the issuer’s discretion, and scheduled dates are estimates until declared. A past record of payments does not mean future payments will be made. Nothing here suggests trading around a distribution.
This page is for informational purposes only. Nothing on it is a recommendation, solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security, nor investment, legal or tax advice. Light Horse Securities Inc does not verify third-party data and is not responsible for its accuracy, completeness or timeliness.