Merck (MRK) Moat Score : 8/10 (As of Jul. 03, 2025)

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What is Merck Moat Score?

Merck has the Moat Score of 8, which implies that the company might have Wide Moat - Clear and robust wide moat.

Merck has Wide Moat: Merck & Co Inc possesses a robust wide moat due to its strong brand, extensive portfolio of patented drugs, significant R&D capabilities, and regulatory barriers. Its market leadership and customer loyalty provide durable competitive advantages, justifying a high moat score.

Moat Score is a ranking system developed by GuruFocus to assess a company's ability to sustain a competitive advantage, rated on a scale from 0 to 10. It takes into account key factors such as market leadership, cost advantages, network effects, customer switching costs, and more.

The company's Moat Score is based on these criteria:

1. Market leadership and sustainable market share
2. Network effects and significant customer switching costs
3. Valuable intellectual property and patents
4. Strong brand strength and deep customer loyalty
5. Durable cost advantages (e.g., economies of scale, proprietary technology)
6. Significant regulatory barriers and exclusive licenses
7. Superior distribution network
8. Strong and sustainable pricing power
9. Consistent and impactful innovation and R&D capabilities

Based on the research, GuruFocus believes Merck might have Wide Moat - Clear and robust wide moat.

Competitive Comparison of Merck's Moat Score

For the Drug Manufacturers - General subindustry, Merck's Moat Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Moat Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.

Merck's Moat Score Distribution in the Drug Manufacturers Industry

For the Drug Manufacturers industry and Healthcare sector, Merck's Moat Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Merck's Moat Score falls into.

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Merck (NYSE:MRK) Moat Score Explanation

The Moat Score ranges from 0 to 10, with 10 as the highest. GuruFocus divided Moat Score into following 8 categories:

Moat Score	Moat Level
10	Wide Moat - Exceptionally dominant and durable wide moat
8 - 9	Wide Moat - Clear and robust wide moat
7	Wide Moat - Entry-level wide moat, clearly possessing durable advantages
6	Narrow Moat - Strong narrow moat, clearly distinguishable but not wide
5	Narrow Moat - Solid narrow moat
4	Narrow Moat - Discernible but modest moat
1 - 3	No Moat - Very weak/transient advantages
0	No Moat - No discernible moat

Merck Moat Score Related Terms

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Merck Business Description

Industry

GURUFOCUS.COM » STOCK LIST » Healthcare » Drug Manufacturers » Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK) » Definitions » Moat Score

Comparable Companies

Traded in Other Exchanges

MRK:Peru MRK:Mexico 1MRKX:Italy 6MKd:UK 0QAH:UK 6MK:Germany 6MK:Germany 6MK:Germany 6MK:Germany MRK:Chile MRK:Canada MRCK34:Brazil 6MK:Bulgaria MRK:Austria MRK:Argentina

Address

126 East Lincoln Avenue, Rahway, NJ, USA, 07065

Website

https://www.merck.com

Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent pediatric diseases as well as human papillomavirus, or HPV. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the company's sales are generated in the United States.

Executives

Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen	officer: SVP, U.S. Market	2000 GALLOPING HILL RD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
David Michael Williams	officer: EVP,Chief Info&Digital Officer	MERCK & CO., INC., 2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Inge G Thulin	director	1250 5TH AVENUE SOUTH, NAPLES FL 34102
Cristal N Downing	officer: Chief Comm. & Public Afrs Ofcr	2000 GALLOPING HILL RD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Baker Douglas M Jr	director	370 WBASHA ST NORTH, ST PAUL MN 55102
Robert M Davis	officer: Evp, Global Svcs & CFO	2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Caroline Litchfield	officer: EVP & CFO	2000 GALLOPING HILL RD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Joseph Romanelli	officer: President, Human Health Int?l	126 EAST LINCOLN AVENUE, RAHWAY NJ 07065
Dean Y Li	officer: Executive VP & President, MRL	2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Richard R. Deluca	officer: EVP&Pres, Merck Animal Heallth	2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Steven Mizell	officer: EVP,Human Resources	2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Rita A Karachun	officer: Sr. VP Fince-Global Controller	2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Jennifer Zachary	officer: EVP, General Counsel	2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Sanat Chattopadhyay	officer: Exe V-P & Pres. MMD	2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033
Kenneth C Frazier	officer: Chairman, President & CEO	2000 GALLOPING HILL ROAD, KENILWORTH NJ 07033