Mo-based catalysts supported on gamma-Al2O3 were synthesized by an incipient wetness impregnation method. They have been tested in the methane dry reforming reaction in a fixed-bed reactor at temperatures from 650 to 800 degrees C. Additional tests have been carried out in presence of 50 ppm of H2S to verify their stability towards sulfur poisoning. The influence of Mo loading and Ni promotion on the catalyst activity, stability, and coke deposition were investigated. The fresh and spent catalysts were characterized using N-2 physisorption, X-ray Diffraction, Temperature Programmed Reduction and Thermogravimetric Analysis. Carbon deposition was the major reason of deactivation of the molybdenum catalysts, while nickel catalysts rapidly lost their activity in the presence of sulfur. The optimized nickel-promoted molybdenum catalysts exhibit a synergetic effect conferring to them better reducibility, smaller carbon deposition and better stability in presence of sulfur. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.