Summary: Merck is a global healthcare giant and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. This piece will guide you on how to buy Merck stock using a regulated brokerage service like eToro.
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About Merck
Formerly an affiliate of Merck Group, today it is an independent company that does business as Merck Sharp & Dohme outside the U.S. and Canada. Merck has a reputation for developing vaccines for HPV and hepatitis B, among other medical conditions, and the research and innovation to healthcare worldwide. The products that made the most revenue for the company in 2020 include cancer immunotherapy, anti-diabetic medication, and HPV and chickenpox vaccines.
The company is ranked 69th on the Fortune 500 and 73rd on the Forbes Global 2000. It is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 100.
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How to buy Merck stock: step-by-step
Merck is a publicly listed company, and the general public can freely trade its stock on the market.
Investors can buy Merck shares in the following five steps:
Step 1: Choose a broker
Before you purchase MRK stock, you need to establish a way to interact with the stock market. The easiest way to do this is to use the services of an online brokerage platform.
To securely buy Merck stock (MRK), we recommend the following:
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading;
- 2,000+ stocks from 17 exchanges;
- Fractional shares available;
- User-friendly platform.
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Your personal tastes, investing preferences, and financial objectives will resonate with different platforms’ pros and cons. Still, some factors can point to the overall quality of the platform regardless of its specialization. Consider the following:
- Range of offerings: The assets available with your candidate must include MRK but also have a choice of other financial items such as different commodities, various stocks, forex, and derivative assets like options, CFDs, and futures. These instruments will help you diversify your portfolio once you establish a foothold in the market;
- Cost: Today, investing services usually allow accounts with no minimum and 0% commission fees for stocks and ETFs. Anything less favorable should be out of the question;
- Regulation and security: Your platform needs to adhere to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regulations. Check for the presence of two-factor authentication (2FA) policy and other advanced security measures;
- Fractional stock trading: Platforms that feature fractional stock trading allow you to buy stocks by the dollar amount, which benefits those with limited capital or traders seeking to pursue the dollar-cost averaging approach.
Step 2: Open and fund your account
When you choose the brokerage candidate, you must register and verify an account with your credentials. The instructions should arrive in your email inbox shortly after registering.
Once the verification process is done, you should transfer funds to your account. You can buy shares in Merck using payment options like a bank transfer, debit or credit card, and a financial intermediary such as PayPal (PYPL).
Step 3: Decide how much you want to invest in Merck Stock
Designating the precise cash sum to invest in Merck stock should not be underestimated, as overextending can result in severe consequences. To prevent the worst effects of a failed investment, consider the following:
- Pay off all high-interest debt, such as credit cards and personal loans;
- Created an emergency fund that covers at least three months of daily life expenses.
Deciding on the precise cash sum also depends on your investing goals, risk tolerance, and financial strategy.
Remember
Step 4: Place your order and Buy Merck Stock
The next step is to place a trade order and purchase MRK stock. Perform the following steps:
- Step 1: Log into your account and find the company’s ticker MRK on the brokerage platform;
- Step 2: Type in the cash amount or the number of Merck shares you want to purchase;
- Step 3: Select the order type (market order or limit order) and place it;
- Step 4: Confirm the trade order.
Step 5: Monitor and manage your investment
After receiving the Merck shares, you have to continue the investing process, as you still need to manage and monitor your investment portfolio. Updating your research with new and relevant data boosts your investment’s efficiency and potential returns.
Frequently recheck the status of the healthcare sector and Merck’s position on the global market to accurately predict the direction of MRK price. Additionally, you should track the company’s press releases and the pace of innovation adoption, as both can influence the stock’s value.
Merck stock price today
Pros and cons of buying Merck stock (MRK)
Pros
- A long tradition of stability: Merck is a successful pharmaceutical company with a long history of solid financial performance. It has weathered several economic downturns, indicating overall fiscal resilience;
- Global market player: Merck has a dominant presence in its niche in numerous countries, providing versatility and access to various markets;
- Dividend stock: The company has a decades-long history of paying dividends, trading potentially high dividend yields for overall dividend stability and sustainable growth. For passive investors, MRK can potentially be a reliable stream of income.
Cons
- Expiring patents: Like other pharmaceutical companies, Merck is bound to face patent expirations on vital medical products, leading to a flood of competition from generic manufacturers, which could drive down revenues;
- Regulatory risks: The pharmaceutical industry is subject to strict regulations and pricing pressures, which can potentially reduce Merck’s profitability;
- Pipeline risk: While the company maintains a robust pipeline, nothing guarantees that its experimental drugs will receive regulatory approval or achieve commercial success.
Common mistakes to avoid when buying Merck stock
Make sure to avoid these common investing mistakes:
- Lack of research: Research the company and stock in detail, along with the market state of the related industries, before investing;
- Lack of strategy: Set your goals before you spend any money;
- Staking everything on one asset: Always diversify your portfolio;
- Falling prey to scams: Avoid illegal platforms and suspicious deals.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
FAQs about how to buy Merck stock
Where is Merck's stock listed?
Merck trades under the MRK ticker on the New York Stock Exchange.
How do I buy Merck stock?
You can buy Merck shares via an online third-party investing service like eToro.
Should I invest in Merck stock?
The answer depends on your opinion of the company’s future, investing style, and preferences. Read the pros and cons of investing in Merck in this guide to help you decide.
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Invest in 2,800+ stocks and other assets including 70+ cryptocurrencies and commodities.
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