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Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Corporate Logo

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Stock Price & Analysis

Market: NYSE • Sector: Healthcare • Industry: Drug Manufacturers - General

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Profile & Business Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines. The Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services, as well as digitally connected identification, traceability, and monitoring products. It serves drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, and government agencies; managed health care providers, such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, and other institutions; and physicians and physician distributors, veterinarians, and animal producers. The company has collaborations with AstraZeneca PLC; Bayer AG; Eisai Co., Ltd.; Ridgeback Biotherapeutics; and Gilead Sciences, Inc. to jointly develop and commercialize long-acting treatments in HIV. Merck & Co., Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey.

Key Information

Ticker MRK
Leadership Robert Davis
Exchange NYSE
Official Site https://www.merck.com
CIK Number 0000310158
View SEC Filings

Market Trend Overview for MRK

One model, two time views: what the market looks like right now, and where the larger trend is heading over time.

Current Market Context (Short-Term)

As of 2026-02-06 (ET), MRK is moving sideways. Price at 121.93 is above support near 107.22. If price moves higher, it may meet resistance around 126.51. View Support & Resistance from Options

Why the market looks this way?

Prices have moved back and forth over recent sessions without making steady progress. Trend signals have changed frequently, which suggests the market is stuck in a range. In this environment, chasing moves in either direction is less reliable.

Longer-Term Market Trend (Mid to Long Term)

Shows the bigger market trend, how strong it is, and where risks may start to build over the next few weeks or months. — Updated as of 2026-02-06 (ET)

As of 2026-02-06, MRK is in a strong upward move. Over the longer term, the trend remains bullish.

MRK last closed at 121.93. The price is about 3.4 ATR above its recent average price (115.23), and the market is currently in a strong upward move.

The broader uptrend is still intact, but price has moved far from its recent average, increasing the risk of a pullback.

Trend Alignment Summary

Trend score: 95 out of 100. Overall alignment is strong. The market is currently in a strong and established uptrend. Trend signals are well aligned across timeframes, suggesting a stable and consistent trend.

Pullback Risk

Price is far from its recent average (about 3.4 ATR away). Chasing the move at this level carries a higher risk of a pullback.

Key Risk Level

A key downside level is near 101.48. If price falls below this area, the current upward trend would likely weaken or break.

Recent Trend Signal

A systematic trend-activation signal was most recently triggered on 2025-12-22, reflecting a technical shift toward positive directional alignment.

Unusual Price Movement

[2026-02-02] Moderate participation supported a steady price advance.

Recent Price Behavior

Recent price action shows orderly upward progression with no major deterioration in bar-level efficiency. Structural conditions remain broadly constructive.

Overnight Positioning

There was no clear sign of meaningful positions being carried into the overnight session.

Price Stretch Risk

As of 2026-02-06, price has extended significantly above its primary volume area, entering a liquidity-thin zone. While the uptrend remains intact, the risk of chasing strength has increased.

Short Interest & Covering Risk for MRK

This analysis looks at overall short interest positioning, focusing on the broader setup rather than short-term noise.

Squeeze Score 0.68

Shows how likely a short squeeze may be under current market conditions.

Key Market Risk Indicators
Short Crowding (Short Interest / Float) 1.36%
Short Positions Trend Increasing
Liquidity Trend (Average Daily Volume) -5.68%
20-Day Return 9.86%
Price vs 20-Day High Trading Near Highs

Short Exposure Percentile

Short interest is relatively low, indicating limited pressure from short positions. (Historical percentile: 39%)

Structure Analysis

MRK Short positioning looks normal. Current days to cover is 2.5 trading days, meaning short positions would unwind somewhat slower than average. Short covering is likely to have a normal impact on price moves.

Bull Trap Structural Risk

Risk Summary

No clear bull trap characteristics detected. Recent price behavior remains broadly consistent with current positioning.This reading helps confirm that current price action remains structurally healthy and does not indicate elevated trap risk.

Why Price Reactions May Be Stronger?

In the latest reporting period, short interest continues to increase. Price is consolidating near highs with a weak upward bias, appearing strong on the surface but structurally more fragile. As a result, similar news or market events could lead to price moves about 1× larger than usual.

Note: Short interest data is reported every two weeks by FINRA. The most recent snapshot is 2026-01-15 (ET).
Because this data updates slowly, it is not intended to predict short-term price moves. Instead, it helps describe longer-term market structure and where pressure may be building if prices begin to move.

Analytical Modules