Merck Stock Defies Market Downturn with 0.8% Gain on NYSE

Merck & Co.'s stock closed at $143.79 on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on September 16, 2026, marking a 0.8% gain from the previous session.

The shares traded between $143.50 and $144.97 throughout the day, with the close near the upper end of the intraday range, according to NYSE data.

Compared to the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), which fell 1.21% on September 16, Merck's stock showed relative strength heading into today's session.

The company's shares have been performing well, with a 30-day return of about 5.85% and a 90-day return near 24.56%, indicating that the stock has outperformed many defensive healthcare peers over the past quarter.

Looking ahead, Merck is set to release its next quarterly results on October 29, 2026, with analysts expecting earnings of approximately $2.27 per share for the September quarter, compared to $2.58 per share a year earlier.