MRK Merck & Co., Inc.
$122.41
Stable Earnings Power 80%
P/Adj-EPS × Normalized Multiple
Mild · Conviction

Fair Value

Trading 1.9% below fair value

You pay $122.41
Bear $106.95
Fair $124.77
Bull $142.60
Bear $106.95 -12.6% $8.22 × 13x P/E
Fair $124.77 +1.9% $8.22 × 15x P/E
Bull $142.60 +16.5% $8.22 × 17x P/E

Key Value Driver

Normalized P/E multiple (15x base case)

Implied Market Multiple 14.9x

Summary

Our base-case estimate uses a valuation based on adjusted earnings per share and a normalized price-to-earnings multiple. We then blend that result with the average analyst price target of $129.31 from 37 analysts, using a 30% weight on analyst consensus. That produces an estimated intrinsic value of $124.77 per share.

Warnings

Dividend-based valuation: $95.62 (below our primary estimate by 22%). Large gaps may signal the dividend doesn't reflect full earning power.

Key Risks

  • Growth DCF inappropriate — terminal value assumptions dominate
  • EV/EBITDA misleading for regulated businesses where capex is mandated
  • Regulatory risk is a fat tail not visible in normal multiples