I would rather be buying MRK at this point

I would rather be buying MRK$Merck(MRK)$ at this point. My reasons are:
1. Well known pharmaceutical company with several drugs in the market and possibly several in pipeline
2. Great dividend 3.25%
3. Most of the negative news already out
4. Ex dividend date coming in next 2 weeks. There is a good possibility of good upside from here.
5. If you are not selling the stock, the gain on paper due to stock price doesn’t really matter much. But regular income from good dividend is more important
6. S&P500 has been up in double digits in past 3 years. And growth stocks have seen their golden gains. 2022 may very likely be the year of dividend and value stocks.
That’s why I am a buyer of MRK at this point.