Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Shares Sold by Americana Partners LLC

Key Points

• Americana Partners reduced its Merck stake by 4.3% in the third quarter, selling 12,071 shares and retaining 268,094 shares valued at approximately $39 million. Institutional investors collectively own 76.07% of Merck’s stock.
• Merck insiders sold 228,238 shares worth nearly $30 million during the quarter, including substantial sales by executives David Williams and Jennifer Zachary. Insiders now own just 0.17% of the company.
• Merck reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $2.49 versus the $2.09 consensus and revenue of $18.09 billion. The stock opened at $149.75, while analysts maintained a generally positive “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $156.08.

Americana Partners LLC lessened its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 268,094 shares of the company's stock after selling 12,071 shares during the quarter. Americana Partners LLC's holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $38,957,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Round Rock Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.7% in the second 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. Cypress Wealth Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.5% in the third quarter. Cypress Wealth Services LLC now owns 13,807 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,960,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Code Waechter LLC grew its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 3.4% during the third quarter. Code Waechter LLC now owns 2,179 shares of the company's stock worth $317,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Cascade Financial Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.5% during the 2nd 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 last quarter. Finally, Somerset Trust Co raised its holdings 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 buying an additional 81 shares during the period. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Merck & Co., Inc.

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP David Williams sold 52,847 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.77, for a total value of $6,805,108.19. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 31,716 shares in the company, valued at $4,084,069.32. This trade represents a 62.49% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Jennifer Zachary sold 80,315 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.46, for a total value of $10,718,839.90. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 45,509 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,073,631.14. This trade represents a 63.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 228,238 shares of company stock worth $29,977,783. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Up 2.3%

MRK opened at $149.75 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.32. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $146.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $126.69. The firm has a market cap of $369.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 154.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.38 and a beta of 0.21. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $82.01 and a twelve month high of $156.92.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 29th. The company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.09 by $0.40. The firm had revenue of $18.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.33 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 3.64% and a return on equity of 16.56%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.58 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.80 EPS for the current year.

More Merck & Co., Inc. News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Strong Q3 results and raised outlook: Merck reported adjusted earnings of $2.49 per share versus the $2.09 analyst consensus, while revenue rose 4.7% year over year to $18.09 billion, ahead of estimates. Management raised its 2026 sales and adjusted-profit outlook, providing the main catalyst for the stock’s advance. Merck tops quarterly estimates and hikes profit outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Growth beyond Keytruda: Keytruda, including the newer Qlex formulation, delivered stronger-than-expected sales, while WINREVAIR continued to expand rapidly. Newer product launches are helping offset losses from generic competition and support Merck’s growth outlook. Merck Q3 earnings call highlights pipeline progress and raised outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Pipeline progress: Positive Phase 3 endometrial-cancer data for Keytruda and sacituzumab tirumotecan, along with FDA priority review for the latter, strengthens confidence in Merck’s oncology pipeline and its ability to address future revenue pressure. Merck Phase 3 endometrial cancer data and FDA review
• Positive Sentiment: Supportive analyst action: Guggenheim raised its price target to $171 and maintained a buy rating, indicating additional potential upside based on the earnings and pipeline outlook.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MRK has been the subject of several research analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $142.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Rothschild & Co Redburn increased their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on 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. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $165.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday. Seventeen 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, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $156.08.

Merck & Co., Inc. Company 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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