Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Options Volume
40,061 Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) option contracts changed hands in the latest session, at a put/call volume ratio of 0.24. This page tracks how actively MRK options trade — contracts and dollars — and flags individual contracts running far above their own 30-day average volume.
Data as of Aug 24, 2026, 3:55 PM ET · OPRA data 15 minutes delayed · For information only — not investment advice.
Options Volume & Premium Flow
| Total options volume | 40,061 |
| Call volume | 32,247 |
| Put volume | 7,814 |
| Put/call volume ratio | 0.24 |
| Listed contracts | 1,416 |
| Call premium traded | $10.8M |
| Put premium traded | $2.75M |
| Premium put/call ratio | 0.25 |
| Open interest rank (31 day) | 90 / 100 |
| Skew rank (31 day) | 85 / 100 |
MRK Options Volume Trend
MRK total options volume per session, past year.
MRK put/call volume ratio, past year.
MRK Unusual Options Activity
Contracts trading at least 3× their own 30-day average volume (minimum 500 contracts):
| Contract | Expiration | Last | IV | Open interest | Volume | vs 30d avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRK $165 call | Sep 18, 2026 | $0.67 | 29.1% | 28,213 | 12,476 | 70.2× avg |
| MRK $150 call | Sep 18, 2026 | $4.85 | 28.1% | 4,700 | 2,837 | 38.6× avg |
| MRK $160 call | Sep 18, 2026 | $1.39 | 0.0% | 1,292 | 2,427 | 13.6× avg |
| MRK $155 call | Sep 18, 2026 | $2.65 | 27.7% | 1,360 | 2,293 | 31.2× avg |
| MRK $150 call | Aug 28, 2026 | $2.90 | 35.5% | 730 | 1,564 | 5.5× avg |
| MRK $152.5 call | Sep 18, 2026 | $3.50 | 29.4% | — | 1,057 | 14.4× avg |
| MRK $150 call | Oct 16, 2026 | $6.64 | 28.3% | 2,773 | 771 | 5.8× avg |
With a put/call volume ratio of 0.24, today's trading is tilted toward calls. Measured in dollars rather than contracts, $10.8M of call premium and $2.75M of put premium changed hands — the larger premium flow is on the call side. 7 contracts are trading at least three times their own 30-day average volume — activity worth a closer look.
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MRK Options FAQ
How many MRK options traded today?
40,061 MRK option contracts traded as of Aug 24, 2026 — 32,247 calls and 7,814 puts.
Is there unusual options activity in MRK today?
Yes — 7 contracts are trading at least three times their 30-day average volume as of Aug 24, 2026. OptiView flags a contract as unusual when today's volume runs at 3× its own average with at least 500 contracts traded.
Methodology. IV rank compares the current 30-day at-the-money implied volatility with its highest and lowest values over the past 52 weeks. Max pain is the strike that minimizes the total payout to option holders at expiration. The call and put walls are the strikes carrying the largest call and put open interest across all expirations. Net gamma exposure (GEX) is measured from the dealer perspective. All statistics are derived from delayed OPRA options data.
Options trading involves significant risk, and losses can exceed your initial investment. Always consult a licensed financial professional before making investment decisions. OptiView does not provide financial advice; all figures on this page are descriptive statistics, not recommendations.