19,470 Shares in Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Acquired by Jefferson Bridge Capital LLC

Key Points

• Jefferson Bridge Capital bought 19,470 shares of Merck in Q4 (about $2.05 million), making MRK 2.1% of the fund’s portfolio and its 18th-largest holding.
• Merck posted a Q4 beat (EPS $2.04 vs. $2.01; revenue $16.40B vs. $16.19B), set FY2026 guidance of 5.00–5.15 EPS, and carries a consensus analyst rating of “Moderate Buy” with a $127.59 target (JPMorgan at $135).
• Merck’s strategic moves include a tender offer for Terns Pharmaceuticals to bolster its oncology pipeline, but a subsequent cut to the offer price and large insider sales have created short-term uncertainty and modest share weakness.

Jefferson Bridge Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 19,470 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,049,000. Merck & Co., Inc. makes up 2.1% of Jefferson Bridge Capital LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Balance Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at $252,000. Finer Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Finer Wealth Management Inc. now owns 45,580 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,798,000 after acquiring an additional 1,746 shares in the last quarter. Clayton Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at $71,000. Cane Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at $302,000. Finally, MBL Wealth LLC grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 75.5% in the 4th quarter. MBL Wealth LLC now owns 12,356 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,301,000 after purchasing an additional 5,316 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 76.07% of the company's stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

MRK opened at $118.91 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.30. The company has a market capitalization of $293.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.33, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.26. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $118.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $103.93. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1 year low of $73.31 and a 1 year high of $125.14.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.01 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $16.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.19 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 28.08% and a return on equity of 44.57%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.72 EPS. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.000-5.150 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 16th were issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 16th. Merck & Co., Inc.'s payout ratio is currently 46.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, March 20th. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $82.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $127.59.

Key Headlines Impacting Merck & Co., Inc.

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

• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target on MRK to $135 and reiterated an Overweight rating, citing upside to the stock — a strong analyst endorsement that supports higher share valuations. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Merck & Co., Inc. NYSE: MRK Stock
• Positive Sentiment: Merck has commenced a cash tender offer to acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals, gaining early/mid‑stage oncology assets intended to shore up the pipeline ahead of upcoming patent expiries on key products — a strategically aligned M&A move that investors view as value‑accretive long term. Merck Begins Tender Offer to Acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Positive Sentiment: Fund commentary and coverage highlight Merck’s strong recent results and its appeal as a consistent dividend payer, reinforcing investor confidence in cash generation and yield support. (Includes JPMorgan’s broader endorsement noted above.) Strong Results Lifted Merck & Co (MRK) in Q4
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage pieces provide mixed context — some reiterate Merck’s defensive qualities and pipeline strength while flagging upcoming catalysts (earnings on April 30) that could swing sentiment. Analysts Offer Insights on Healthcare Companies: Merck & Company (MRK) and Agios Pharma (AGIO)
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector note: Q1 M&A activity in pharma is elevated — Merck’s deal fits a broader industry push to replenish pipelines, which is sector‑positive but increases deal execution and integration risk. Pharma, Biotech Giants Ramp Up M&A in Q1 to Boost Pipelines
• Negative Sentiment: Merck lowered its offer price for Terns after reviewing trial data, which introduces short‑term uncertainty about the deal’s perceived value and may pressure sentiment around the acquisition. Merck Lowered Terns Pharmaceuticals Offer Price After Trial Data Review
• Negative Sentiment: Merck shares showed a modest intraday decline (~1.3% in recent trade) while broader markets improved, signaling profit‑taking or headline sensitivity around the Terns deal and valuation debate. Merck (MRK) Stock Declines While Market Improves: Some Information for Investors
• Negative Sentiment: Commentary questioning whether defensive stocks like Merck are overbought may encourage short‑term selling among rotation traders despite positive fundamentals. Is It Too Late to Buy Costco or Merck? Are These Defensive Stocks Overbought?

Insider Activity

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, CFO Caroline Litchfield sold 41,997 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.61, for a total transaction of $5,023,261.17. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 90,192 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,787,865.12. The trade was a 31.77% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Robert M. Davis sold 47,434 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.04, for a total transaction of $5,599,109.36. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 443,602 shares in the company, valued at $52,362,780.08. This represents a 9.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 320,176 shares of company stock worth $38,281,735. Company insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Profile

Merck & Co, Inc is a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products. Its portfolio spans multiple therapeutic areas with a particular emphasis on oncology, vaccines and infectious disease, as well as therapies for metabolic and chronic conditions. Among its well-known products are the cancer immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and the human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil; the company also markets a range of medicines and vaccines for veterinary use through Merck Animal Health.

Founded in the late 19th century as the U.S.

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