17,813 Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Shares Sold by D.A. Davidson & CO.

Key Points

• D.A. Davidson reduced its Merck position by 3.2%, selling 17,813 shares and retaining 534,194 shares valued at approximately $77.6 million. Institutional investors collectively own 76.07% of MRK.
• Merck beat quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, reporting $16.61 billion in revenue and setting fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $2.66–$2.76. However, the company faces concerns including weaker Gardasil demand, difficult comparisons and patent exposure.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and average price target of $153.12; Barclays, Wells Fargo and Leerink Partners recently raised their targets. Meanwhile, Merck insiders sold nearly $30 million of stock during the latest quarter.

D.A. Davidson & CO. trimmed its position in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 3.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 534,194 shares of the company's stock after selling 17,813 shares during the period. D.A. Davidson & CO.'s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $77,624,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Curry Webb Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Horizons Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Bullseye Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Graney & King LLC grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Graney & King LLC now owns 250 shares of the company's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Foresight Capital Management Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the third quarter worth about $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company's stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE MRK opened at $141.03 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The firm has a market cap of $347.95 billion, a PE ratio of 112.83, a P/E/G ratio of 6.74 and a beta of 0.21. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $147.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is $126.31. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12-month low of $82.01 and a 12-month high of $156.92.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.13. The business had revenue of $16.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.37 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 16.73% and a net margin of 4.77%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.13 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MRK has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Barclays raised their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $150.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday. Leerink Partners lifted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $127.00 to $161.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 9th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $150.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, September 4th. Daiwa Securities Group upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $143.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 12th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $153.12.

Insider Activity at Merck & Co., Inc.

In other news, EVP Jennifer Zachary sold 80,315 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.46, for a total value of $10,718,839.90. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 45,509 shares in the company, valued at $6,073,631.14. This represents a 63.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP David R. Maraldo sold 18,706 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.72, for a total transaction of $2,407,836.32. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 18,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,344,248.64. This represents a 50.67% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 228,238 shares of company stock valued at $29,977,783 over the last quarter. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Merck & Co., Inc. News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Merck & Co., Inc. this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Merck’s KEYTRUDA reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 43% in a Phase 3 endometrial-cancer trial. The result strengthens the company’s oncology franchise and could support future label expansion and revenue growth. Merck's KEYTRUDA Cuts Progression Risk By 43% In Phase 3 Endometrial Cancer Trial
• Positive Sentiment: Additional oncology readouts, including positive results from the Moderna-partnered melanoma vaccine and other cancer treatments, are providing fresh support for Merck’s pipeline and long-term growth prospects. Merck Gains Fresh Oncology Backing As Valuation Debate Heats Up
• Positive Sentiment: Broker commentary remains broadly constructive, with Barclays forecasting significant appreciation potential and other analysts highlighting KEYTRUDA demand and new-drug growth ahead of the earnings release. Barclays Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Merck
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck is scheduled to report third-quarter results before the market opens on October 29. Investors are focused on KEYTRUDA sales, full-year guidance and management’s outlook for the pipeline. Dear Merck Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for October 29
• Neutral Sentiment: The Moderna-Merck melanoma vaccine cut recurrence risk by 42% in a Phase 3 trial, but the outcome reportedly fell short of investor expectations, limiting its immediate effect on MRK. Merck and Moderna's Cancer Vaccine Worked
• Negative Sentiment: Pre-earnings concerns include difficult year-over-year comparisons, declining earnings estimates, weaker Gardasil demand and looming patent exposure. These factors could offset strong KEYTRUDA performance and increase volatility around the report. Is Merck Stock a Buy, Sell or Hold Ahead of Q3 Earnings?

Merck & Co., Inc. Profile

Merck & Co, Inc is a global healthcare company that develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines, vaccines and animal-health products. Its pharmaceutical business focuses on oncology, infectious diseases, cardiology, immunology and other areas of significant medical need. The company serves patients, healthcare providers and institutions in markets worldwide.

Merck's principal products include Keytruda, an immunotherapy used to treat a range of cancers; Gardasil and Gardasil 9, vaccines that help protect against human papillomavirus; and Januvia and Janumet, medicines used to manage type 2 diabetes.

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