Basis: Latest reported fiscal year. Source: stored company filings and market data; unavailable inputs remain N/A.
The yield on cost (YOC) is 2.56%.
YIELD ON COST (YOC)
2.56%
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(2016-07-19) | $55.93 | 6.01% |
| 5 years ago(2021-07-27) | $77.85 | 4.32% |
| 3 years ago(2023-07-28) | $106.34 | 3.16% |
| 1 year ago(2025-07-22) | $81.61 | 4.12% |
| Buying today(at $131.07) | $131.07 | 2.56% |
Projection: starting from today's 2.56% yield, assuming the dividend keeps compounding at its historical 6.8% rate. Boards set dividends each year, so actual figures will differ.
Today
2.56%
In 3 years
3.27%
In 5 years
3.84%
In 10 years
5.77%
Try your own purchase price, dividend and growth rate for Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK).
Starting Yield
2.56%
Ending YOC
6.91%
Year 15 Dividend
$9.05
Cum. Dividends Recd.
$89.03
| Year | Projected Div. / Share | YoY Dividend Hike | Yield on Cost (YOC) | Total Dividends Recd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | $3.36 | N/A | 2.56% | $0.00 |
| Year 1 | $3.59 | +6.83% | 2.74% | $3.59 |
| Year 2 | $3.83 | +6.83% | 2.93% | $7.42 |
| Year 3 | $4.10 | +6.83% | 3.13% | $11.52 |
| Year 4 | $4.38 | +6.83% | 3.34% | $15.90 |
| Year 5 | $4.68 | +6.83% | 3.57% | $20.57 |
| Year 6 | $4.99 | +6.83% | 3.81% | $25.57 |
| Year 7 | $5.34 | +6.83% | 4.07% | $30.90 |
| Year 8 | $5.70 | +6.83% | 4.35% | $36.60 |
| Year 9 | $6.09 | +6.83% | 4.65% | $42.69 |
| Year 10 | $6.51 | +6.83% | 4.96% | $49.20 |
| Year 11 | $6.95 | +6.83% | 5.30% | $56.15 |
| Year 12 | $7.42 | +6.83% | 5.66% | $63.57 |
| Year 13 | $7.93 | +6.83% | 6.05% | $71.50 |
| Year 14 | $8.47 | +6.83% | 6.46% | $79.98 |
| Year 15 | $9.05 | +6.83% | 6.91% | $89.03 |
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
