Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Shares Bought by Congress Asset Management Co.

Key Points

• Congress Asset Management Co. increased its Merck stake by 238.9% in the third quarter, ending with 18,204 shares valued at approximately $2.65 million. Institutional investors collectively own 76.07% of the company.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive view, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $150.32; however, a Dutch court injunction against injectable Keytruda in eight European markets creates patent and revenue risks.
• Merck reported quarterly revenue of $16.61 billion, ahead of expectations, and recently paid a quarterly dividend of $0.85 per share, equating to a 2.4% yield.

Congress Asset Management Co. boosted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 238.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,204 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 12,833 shares during the quarter. Congress Asset Management Co.'s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $2,645,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Round Rock Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Round Rock Advisors LLC now owns 9,901 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,272,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Cascade Financial Partners LLC grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.5% in the second quarter. Cascade Financial Partners LLC now owns 14,746 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,895,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Somerset Trust Co grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% in the second quarter. Somerset Trust Co now owns 8,701 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,118,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the period. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% during the second quarter. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC now owns 8,747 shares of the company's stock worth $1,124,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stronghold Wealth Management L.L.C. raised its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 2.6% during the second quarter. Stronghold Wealth Management L.L.C. now owns 3,237 shares of the company's stock worth $416,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company's stock.

More Merck & Co., Inc. News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst remains bullish: Morgan Stanley lowered its price target modestly to $177 from $179 but maintained an “overweight” rating, implying substantial upside from recent levels. Morgan Stanley price target update
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term growth case intact: Analysts describe Merck’s recent pullback as a potential buying opportunity, citing continued Keytruda growth and new products and pipeline assets that could support the business after 2028. Merck Stock Down 7% in a Month
• Neutral Sentiment: Market-related gains: MRK recently outperformed the broader market during a positive trading session, but the move appeared tied more to overall market strength than to a new company-specific catalyst. Merck Beats Stock Market Upswing
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst consensus: Sell-side analysts rate Merck a “Moderate Buy,” indicating that expected growth and valuation support the stock despite near-term risks. Merck Rated Moderate Buy
• Negative Sentiment: European Keytruda setback: A Dutch court granted Halozyme Therapeutics an injunction barring Merck from selling subcutaneous, or injectable, Keytruda in eight European markets. The ruling raises patent, launch-timing and revenue risks for Merck’s planned formulation, while benefiting Halozyme. Merck’s Injectable Keytruda Barred in Europe

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

Merck & Co., Inc. stock opened at $142.66 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $143.34 and a 200 day simple moving average of $127.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $351.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 114.12, a P/E/G ratio of 6.18 and a beta of 0.21. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. 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 posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $16.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $16.37 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 4.77% and a return on equity of 16.73%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.13 EPS. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were paid a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.'s dividend payout ratio is 272.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MRK has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 25th. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $155.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 29th. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $137.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $150.32.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Jennifer Zachary sold 80,315 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 of the company's stock, valued at $6,073,631.14. This trade 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 the SEC website. Also, EVP David Maraldo sold 18,706 shares of the business's 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 18,212 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,344,248.64. This trade represents a 50.67% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 228,238 shares of company stock valued at $29,977,783 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile

Merck & Co, Inc is a global healthcare company that develops and markets prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal-health products. The company serves patients, healthcare providers, and customers in markets around the world, with research and commercial operations spanning multiple geographic regions.

Its pharmaceutical portfolio includes oncology, infectious-disease, cardiovascular, immunology, and other therapeutic areas. Key products include Keytruda, an oncology treatment; Gardasil, a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine; Januvia and Janumet for type 2 diabetes; Bridion for anesthesia-related use; and Winrevair for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

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