Operating
Stock-Based Comp
Merck & Co. Stock-Based Comp decreased by 9.8% to $185.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 5.1%, from $195.00M to $185.00M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Stock-Based Comp shows an upward trend with a 14.4% CAGR.
Analysis
StatementCash Flow Statement
SectionOperating
CategoryEfficiency
SignalContext dependent
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ1 2013
Last reportedQ1 2026May 4, 2026
How to read this metric
Increasing levels may indicate a focus on talent retention but can also signal potential shareholder dilution.
Detailed definition
This represents the value of equity-based awards granted to employees as part of their total compensation package. Since...
Peer comparison
Standard across large-cap corporations; varies based on corporate compensation philosophy.
Metric ID:
stock_based_compensationHistorical Data
20 periods
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $132.00M | $117.00M | $119.00M | $120.00M | $137.00M | $139.00M | $145.00M | $145.00M | $169.00M | $164.00M | $167.00M | $176.00M | $203.00M | $195.00M | $187.00M | $195.00M | $216.00M | $204.00M | $205.00M | $185.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | -11.4% | +1.7% | +0.8% | +14.2% | +1.5% | +4.3% | +0.0% | +16.6% | -3.0% | +1.8% | +5.4% | +15.3% | -3.9% | -4.1% | +4.3% | +10.8% | -5.6% | +0.5% | -9.8% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +3.8% | +18.8% | +21.8% | +20.8% | +23.4% | +18.0% | +15.2% | +21.4% | +20.1% | +18.9% | +12.0% | +10.8% | +6.4% | +4.6% | +9.6% | -5.1% |
Range$117.00M – $216.00M
CAGR+7.4%
Avg YoY Growth+13.8%
Median YoY Growth+16.6%
Stock-Based Comp at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Merck & Co.'s stock-based comp?
- Merck & Co. (MRK) reported stock-based comp of $185.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has Merck & Co.'s stock-based comp changed year-over-year?
- Merck & Co.'s stock-based comp decreased by 5.1% year-over-year, from $195.00M to $185.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for Merck & Co.'s stock-based comp?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Merck & Co.'s stock-based comp has grown at a 14.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $479.00M to $820.00M.
- What does stock-based comp mean?
- The non-cash cost of paying employees with company stock instead of cash.