STOCK DIVIDEND AND STOCK SPLIT
The most common method for companies to distribute wealth among shareholders is to pay dividends in the form of cash or stock. When a company has a low level of liquid cash on hand, stock dividends are typically issued in lieu of cash dividends. It is the board of directors that decides whether a dividend should be declared and in what form it should be distributed. Dividend yield is also a financial ratio that shows how much a company pays out in dividends on its shares each year, which is something investors look for in a stock.
Dividend Rate
Trailing Annual Dividend Rate
$2.96
Forward Annual Dividend Rate
$3.08
Yield
Trailing Annual Dividend Yield
2.38%
Forward Annual Dividend Yield
2.69%
Dividend Date
Dividend Date
Jan 08, 2026
Ex-dividend Date
Dec 15, 2025
2.88 %
33.74
Dividend History
| Announced | Amount | Ex-Dividend Date | Record Date | Payment Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18, 2025 | 0.85 | Dec 15, 2025 | Dec 15, 2025 | Jan 08, 2026 |
| Jul 22, 2025 | 0.81 | Sep 15, 2025 | Sep 15, 2025 | Oct 07, 2025 |
| May 27, 2025 | 0.81 | Jun 16, 2025 | Jun 16, 2025 | Jul 08, 2025 |
| Jan 28, 2025 | 0.81 | Mar 17, 2025 | Mar 17, 2025 | Apr 07, 2025 |
| Nov 19, 2024 | 0.81 | Dec 16, 2024 | Dec 16, 2024 | Jan 08, 2025 |
| Jul 23, 2024 | 0.77 | Sep 16, 2024 | Sep 16, 2024 | Oct 07, 2024 |
| May 28, 2024 | 0.77 | Jun 17, 2024 | Jun 17, 2024 | Jul 08, 2024 |
| Jan 23, 2024 | 0.77 | Mar 14, 2024 | Mar 15, 2024 | Apr 05, 2024 |
| Nov 28, 2023 | 0.77 | Dec 14, 2023 | Dec 15, 2023 | Jan 08, 2024 |
| Jul 25, 2023 | 0.73 | Sep 14, 2023 | Sep 15, 2023 | Oct 06, 2023 |
| May 23, 2023 | 0.73 | Jun 14, 2023 | Jun 15, 2023 | Jul 10, 2023 |
| Jan 24, 2023 | 0.73 | Mar 14, 2023 | Mar 15, 2023 | Apr 10, 2023 |
| Nov 29, 2022 | 0.73 | Dec 14, 2022 | Dec 15, 2022 | Jan 09, 2023 |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 0.69 | Sep 14, 2022 | Sep 15, 2022 | Oct 07, 2022 |
| May 24, 2022 | 0.69 | Jun 14, 2022 | Jun 15, 2022 | Jul 08, 2022 |
Stock Split History
| Date | Ratio | Change Before Split | Change After Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 03, 2021 | 1048:1000 | +72.40% | +74.11% |
| Feb 17, 1999 | 2:1 | +0.69% | +1.48% |
| May 26, 1992 | 3:1 | -2.47% | 0 |
| May 26, 1988 | 3:1 | 0 | -0.86% |
| May 27, 1986 | 2:1 | 0 | +0.95% |
| Jun 01, 1972 | 2:1 | -0.51% | -1.04% |
| May 27, 1964 | 3:1 | -0.46% | -1.40% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) a dividend paying company?
In a company, dividends are a portion of profits paid out to shareholders - investors getting a little bit back on their investment. In particular, dividends benefit investors, especially income-seeking investors, because they provide mutual benefits both to companies and investors. Dividends are a strong indicator for a company's ability to produce profits consistently and reflect favorably on its management. Merck & Co., Inc. is also among the companies that regularly pay dividends.
What is MRK's dividend yield?
Many factors affect dividend yields, including global market conditions, interest rates, and the financial status of an individual company.However, the average dividend yield for a good company is between 2% and 6%. MRK's annual dividend yield for the trailing 12 months is 2.38.
When did MRK last pay a dividend?
MRK last paid dividends on 2026-01-08, with the ex-dividend date being 2025-12-15.
When was the last time MRK stock split?
MRK stock split took place on 03-06-2021.
How did MRK's stock split work?
Its last split took place on Jun 3, 2021, when Merck & Co., Inc. went through a 1048:1000 split leaving the shareholder with 1048 share(s) who previously owned 1000 MRK share(s).