Merck
The world’s oldest pharma and chemicals company, since 1668.
52-week range
As of 5 Oct 2026, 17:35What does Merck do?
Merck, based in Darmstadt, supplies research labs and drugmakers with materials and tools, develops its own medicines for diseases such as multiple sclerosis and cancer, and makes specialty materials for chips and displays. Don’t mix it up with the US company Merck & Co., which is a separate firm. Through E. Merck KG, the Merck family holds about 70% of the total capital.
Many smartphone and TV displays contain liquid crystals made by Merck. And anyone who works in a lab knows its chemicals and filters.
How Merck makes money
- Lab supplies & research42 %
- Medicines41 %
- Materials for chips & displays17 %
Strengths
- Three very different businesses help balance each other out.
- Lab supplies are a steady business because labs keep reordering.
- Its specialty materials for chips benefit from the AI boom.
Risks
- Merck lost key US patents for its MS drug Mavenclad, opening the door to cheaper copies.
- The planned takeover of Bio-Techne for about €10 billion adds a lot of debt.
- A large share of sales is in US dollars, so a strong euro weighs on results.
- Founded
- 1668
- Headquarters
- Darmstadt, Germany
- Employees
- about 62,500
What if you had invested in Merck earlier?
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This page explains the company and is not a recommendation to buy or sell.