Merck & Co. R&D increased by 224.0% to $12.59B in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 247.7%, from $3.62B to $12.59B. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), R&D shows an upward trend with a 6.6% CAGR.
Analysis
StatementIncome Statement
SectionOperating Expenses
CategoryGrowth
SignalContext dependent
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ1 2013
Last reportedQ1 2026
How to read this metric
High spending signals a commitment to future growth and innovation, though it reduces current period earnings.
Detailed definition
Expenses related to the development of new products, services, and technologies, as well as the improvement of existing...
Peer comparison
Tech leaders often spend a significant percentage of revenue on R&D to prevent disruption by competitors.
Metric ID:
research_and_developmentHistorical 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 | $4.32B | $2.45B | $3.01B | $2.58B | $2.80B | $4.40B | $3.78B | $4.28B | $13.32B | $3.31B | $9.63B | $3.99B | $3.50B | $5.86B | $4.58B | $3.62B | $4.05B | $4.23B | $3.89B | $12.59B |
| QoQ Change | — | -43.4% | +23.3% | -14.5% | +8.6% | +57.2% | -14.2% | +13.3% | +211.5% | -75.2% | +191.1% | -58.5% | -12.3% | +67.5% | -21.8% | -21.0% | +11.8% | +4.6% | -8.2% | +224.0% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -35.2% | +79.9% | +25.2% | +66.0% | +376.1% | -24.8% | +155.0% | -6.6% | -73.7% | +77.3% | -52.4% | -9.3% | +15.7% | -27.8% | -15.2% | +247.7% |
Range$2.45B – $13.32B
CAGR+25.3%
Avg YoY Growth+49.9%
Median YoY Growth+4.5%
Business Segments
| Segment | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Health | $91.00M | $95.00M | $109.00M | $95.00M | $110.00M | $118.00M | $125.00M | $112.00M |
| Pharmaceutical | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $3.50B | $5.86B | $4.58B | $3.62B | $4.05B | $4.23B | $3.89B | $12.59B |
Animal Health, Pharmaceutical were previously reported and have since been discontinued or reclassified. Only currently active segments are shown in the chart.
R&D at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Merck & Co.'s r&d?
- Merck & Co. (MRK) reported r&d of $12.59B in Q1 2026.
- How has Merck & Co.'s r&d changed year-over-year?
- Merck & Co.'s r&d increased by 247.7% year-over-year, from $3.62B to $12.59B.
- What is the long-term trend for Merck & Co.'s r&d?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Merck & Co.'s r&d has grown at a 6.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $12.25B to $15.79B.
- What does r&d mean?
- The money spent on creating new technology and improving existing products.