Basis: Trailing twelve months (TTM). Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
The yield on cost (YOC) is 2.24%.
YIELD ON COST (YOC)
2.24%
MRK now pays $3.36 per share a year. Measured against the price it actually traded at back then, a long-term holder is earning:
| If you bought | Price then | Yield on cost today |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years ago(2016-08-30) | $59.80 | 5.62% |
| 5 years ago(2021-09-08) | $75.36 | 4.46% |
| 3 years ago(2023-08-29) | $109.99 | 3.05% |
| 1 year ago(2025-09-03) | $84.18 | 3.99% |
| Buying today(at $148.64) | $148.64 | 2.24% |
Projection: starting from today's 2.24% yield, assuming the dividend keeps compounding at 5.8% a year — the recent growth rate of its annual payout. Boards set dividends each year, so actual figures will differ.
Today
2.24%
In 3 years
2.65%
In 5 years
2.97%
In 10 years
3.96%
Try your own purchase price, dividend and growth rate for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK).
Starting Yield
2.26%
Ending YOC
6.02%
Year 15 Dividend
$8.95
Cum. Dividends Recd.
$88.42
| Year | Projected Div. / Share | YoY Dividend Hike | Yield on Cost (YOC) | Total Dividends Recd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | $3.36 | N/A | 2.26% | $0.00 |
| Year 1 | $3.59 | +6.75% | 2.41% | $3.59 |
| Year 2 | $3.83 | +6.75% | 2.58% | $7.42 |
| Year 3 | $4.09 | +6.75% | 2.75% | $11.50 |
| Year 4 | $4.36 | +6.75% | 2.94% | $15.87 |
| Year 5 | $4.66 | +6.75% | 3.13% | $20.52 |
| Year 6 | $4.97 | +6.75% | 3.35% | $25.50 |
| Year 7 | $5.31 | +6.75% | 3.57% | $30.80 |
| Year 8 | $5.67 | +6.75% | 3.81% | $36.47 |
| Year 9 | $6.05 | +6.75% | 4.07% | $42.52 |
| Year 10 | $6.46 | +6.75% | 4.34% | $48.98 |
| Year 11 | $6.89 | +6.75% | 4.64% | $55.87 |
| Year 12 | $7.36 | +6.75% | 4.95% | $63.23 |
| Year 13 | $7.85 | +6.75% | 5.28% | $71.08 |
| Year 14 | $8.38 | +6.75% | 5.64% | $79.47 |
| Year 15 | $8.95 | +6.75% | 6.02% | $88.42 |
Yield on cost is the dividend yield measured against your original purchase price, not today's price. As a company raises its dividend, the yield on what you actually paid keeps rising even when the market yield holds steady.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
