NYSE$MRK

Merck & Co. · Q1 2026 earnings

Q1 2026 earnings · · Before market open · Investor relations

Briefing

Merck reported Q1 2026 worldwide sales of $16.3B but a net loss of $4.24B, reflecting higher R&D and one-time charges versus year-ago profit.

Worldwide sales were $16.3 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, up 5% year over year. The company reported a net loss attributable to Merck of $4.24 billion versus net income of $5.08 billion a year ago, driven by higher research spending, acquired IPR&D, and other expense. Pharmaceutical and animal health segment trends are detailed in MD&A.

  • Worldwide sales $16.3B (+5% YoY).
  • Net loss attributable to Merck $4.24B vs net income $5.08B prior year.
  • Pipeline and KEYTRUDA franchise remain focal points in MD&A.
  • Management discusses tariffs, FX, and collaboration income volatility.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$16.3B

Previous: $15.5B+4.9%
EPS (adj)

-$1.72

Previous: $2.01-185.6%
Capital Expenditures

-$991M

Previous: -$1.33B+25.4%
Free Cash Flow

$2.93B

No prior period
Net Income

-$4.24B

Previous: $5.09B-183.4%
Operating Income

-$3.4B

Previous: $5.9B-157.5%
Gross Profit

$12.1B

Previous: $12.8B-5.3%
Cash & Equivalents

$5.33B

No prior period
Total Assets

$129B

No prior period

Revenue & EPS history

Merck · Revenue · Quarterly

$16.3B

Q1 2026+4.9%vs Q1 2025
Beat estimate in 12 of 15 quarters(80%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Merck · $15B total across 2 segments · Q2 2023

  • Pharmaceutical
    $13.5B+5.6%
  • Animal Health
    $1.51B+0.6%

Forward guidance

The 10-Q does not provide numeric consolidated annual EPS guidance for MRK. Management commentary in MD&A covers costs, capital, and sector-specific risks.

Tailwinds

  • Management discusses operational priorities and liquidity in the quarterly filing.
  • Segment or product trends are disclosed where applicable to the business model.

Headwinds

  • Macro, input-cost, and interest-rate exposure can affect near-term results.
  • One-time items, impairments, or fair-value marks may distort quarterly comparability.

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q1 2026

Historical avgQ1 2026

-0.4%

Avg return

Earnings day

-0.4%

Avg return

5 days after

+1.4%

Avg return

30 days after

51%

37 / 73 earnings

Positive

+8.0%

Q3 2021

Best reaction

-11.7%

Q3 2017

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026+1.0%+2.0%+6.9%
Q4 2025+2.2%+7.6%+2.4%
Q3 2025-1.0%-3.1%+21.1%
Q2 2025+1.2%+1.0%+5.2%
Q1 2025+1.5%+7.6%-1.5%
Q4 2024-9.1%-12.5%-5.8%
Q3 2024-2.8%-3.0%-3.0%
Q2 2024-11.5%-9.8%-8.1%
Q1 2024+3.3%+1.7%+2.0%
Q4 2023+4.7%+5.1%+5.1%
Q3 2023-0.8%-0.9%-1.7%
Q2 2023-0.9%-1.5%+2.2%
Q1 2023+1.8%+3.9%-2.1%
Q4 2022-3.8%-1.2%-0.1%
Q3 2022+2.4%+1.4%+9.2%
Q2 2022-2.1%-4.0%-2.2%
Q1 2022+5.1%+3.2%+10.3%
Q4 2021-4.2%-6.2%-5.1%
Q3 2021+8.0%+9.2%-2.9%
Q2 2021-1.9%-2.5%-2.6%
Q1 2021-3.4%-1.4%-1.6%
Q4 2020-2.0%-2.9%-5.4%
Q3 2020-3.4%-4.6%+1.5%
Q2 2020+4.5%+3.4%+8.4%
Q1 2020-3.8%-7.5%-5.9%
Q4 2019-3.0%-3.1%-7.0%
Q3 2019+4.9%+3.3%+6.6%
Q2 2019+0.6%+2.4%+5.1%
Q1 2019+2.5%+4.2%+3.8%
Q4 2018+3.3%+4.0%+9.7%
Q3 2018-0.2%+3.3%+5.9%
Q2 2018+1.2%+2.3%+7.9%
Q1 2018-2.7%-1.9%+1.1%
Q4 2017-5.8%-6.6%-9.2%
Q3 2017-11.7%-10.7%-12.3%
Q2 2017+0.3%-0.4%-1.2%
Q1 2017+2.0%+2.5%+4.6%
Q4 2016+3.5%+3.4%+7.2%
Q3 2016+0.2%-3.1%+1.5%
Q2 2016+0.4%-1.3%+7.6%
Q1 2016-2.2%
Q4 2015-3.6%
Q3 2015+4.1%
Q2 2015+2.7%
Q1 2015+4.5%
Q4 2014-3.0%
Q3 2014-3.1%
Q2 2014+0.2%
Q1 2014+3.3%
Q4 2013+0.5%
Q3 2013-2.1%
Q2 2013-0.3%
Q1 2013-2.7%
Q4 2012-5.6%
Q3 2012-1.4%
Q4 2011-1.0%
Q2 2012+2.6%
Q1 2012+2.0%
Q3 2011-1.5%
Q2 2011-1.6%
Q1 2011-0.7%
Q4 2010+0.8%
Q3 2010-1.8%
Q2 2010+0.8%
Q1 2009-0.1%
Q1 2010+0.1%
Q4 2009+1.4%
Q4 2007+1.4%
Q3 2009-3.5%
Q3 2008-3.5%
Q2 2008+1.7%
Q2 2009+1.7%
Q4 2008+1.7%

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