Merck & Co Inc. About company

Merck is a European company specializing in healthcare and life science. It boasts a rich history that dates back to 1668.

It all started as a small pharmacy business in Germany which later evolved into one of the largest pharmaceutical and chemical companies in the world.

Today, the company is divided into three business lines:

• Products for high-tech equipment (proprietary liquid crystals that have been produced for over 110 years and pigments);
  
• Medications for serious health conditions;
  
• The Life Science division specializes in technologies and products for scientific research and laboratory solutions).
  

Notably, in the US, the company is known as EMD.

By the end of 2021, Merck’s market capitalization amounted to $182.8 billion.

Merck stock and what shapes its value

In general, the pharmaceutical giant has been doing well over the past 10 years. Since 2012, when Merck stock was trading at $38 per share, the price has been steadily rising and reached its peak of $91 per share in December 2019. At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the shares dipped to $76.5.

Later, the price recovered to $88 in October 2021 but then dropped again to $72 by December 2021.

What to watch for when trading Merck stock:

• Earnings reports and company news;
  
• Changes in the Fed monetary policy (for example, lower funds rate can potentially boost the price of Merck shares);
  
• New products launched by the company and their success in the market;
  
• Company’s new scientific research;
  
• Competitors in the industry and other factors.
  

Despite occasional declines in value, analysts see Merck stock as a good asset to invest in when it is trading at the low. The price will steadily increase over time. Yet, when trading Merck shares, you should keep in mind the factors that may influence their value.