First National Bank of Omaha Purchases 85,885 Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Key Points

• First National Bank of Omaha significantly increased its Merck stake by 261.7% in the fourth quarter, buying 85,885 additional shares and bringing its total holdings to 118,700 shares worth about $12.6 million.
• Merck reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of -$1.28 versus estimates of -$1.47 and revenue of $16.29 billion versus expectations of $15.85 billion. Revenue rose 4.9% year over year, and the company reiterated FY2026 EPS guidance of $5.04 to $5.16.
• Analyst sentiment remains constructive: Merck holds an overall “Moderate Buy” rating with an average target price of $128.18. The stock also pays a quarterly dividend of $0.85 per share, implying a 2.9% annualized yield.

First National Bank of Omaha boosted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 261.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 118,700 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 85,885 shares during the period. First National Bank of Omaha's holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $12,563,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kingdom Financial Group LLC. bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. United Financial Planning Group LLC bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the third quarter worth about $31,000. High Note Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 58.9% during the fourth quarter. High Note Wealth LLC now owns 294 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Gilpin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Institutional investors own 76.07% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Zacks Research upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. Citigroup assumed coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $125.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, April 6th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $128.18.

Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Down 1.4%

NYSE MRK opened at $119.05 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $294.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.54, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.06. The stock's 50-day moving average is $116.55 and its 200-day moving average is $113.23. Merck & Co., Inc. has a one year low of $76.66 and a one year high of $125.14.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported ($1.28) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($1.47) by $0.19. The company had revenue of $16.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.85 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 27.55% and a net margin of 13.59%.Merck & Co., Inc.'s revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.22 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.040-5.160 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 5.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. Merck & Co., Inc.'s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 95.77%.

More Merck & Co., Inc. News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Merck Animal Health announced a definitive agreement to acquire TARGAN, a poultry biodevice company, which could strengthen Merck’s animal health division and broaden its technology-driven growth opportunities. Merck Animal Health to Acquire TARGAN
• Positive Sentiment: Merck saw unusually heavy call option buying, with traders purchasing 170,441 calls, a sharp jump versus normal volume that often signals bullish expectations from sophisticated investors.
• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo reiterated a buy rating on Merck, while another article highlighted that Wall Street’s overall bullish view continues to keep MRK on investors’ radar.
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck has also been featured in broader market commentary and “most searched” lists, suggesting rising attention rather than a new fundamental catalyst.
• Neutral Sentiment: One article noted Merck’s recent trading uptick but said it lagged the broader market, indicating modest price strength rather than a major breakout. Merck (MRK) Rises Yet Lags Behind Market: Some Facts Worth Knowing

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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