Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Shares Sold by Godsey & Gibb Inc.

Key Points

• Godsey & Gibb reduced its Merck stake by 3.5% in the third quarter, selling 7,854 shares and retaining 217,021 shares valued at approximately $31.5 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 76.07% of Merck.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $151.92; several firms recently raised their targets to between $161 and $175.
• Merck’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with $16.61 billion in revenue and EPS ahead of consensus, while Keytruda growth and oncology pipeline developments remain important catalysts. The company also pays a quarterly dividend of $0.85 per share, yielding about 2.3% annually.

Godsey & Gibb Inc. cut its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 3.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 217,021 shares of the company's stock after selling 7,854 shares during the quarter. Merck & Co., Inc. comprises 2.2% of Godsey & Gibb Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. Godsey & Gibb Inc.'s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $31,535,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Johnson Bixby & Associates LLC boosted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Johnson Bixby & Associates LLC now owns 4,415 shares of the company's stock worth $642,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares in the last quarter. Western Financial Corp CA grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 531.0% during the 3rd quarter. Western Financial Corp CA now owns 34,512 shares of the company's stock worth $5,015,000 after purchasing an additional 29,043 shares during the last quarter. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.3% during the 3rd quarter. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC now owns 8,266 shares of the company's stock worth $1,201,000 after purchasing an additional 775 shares during the last quarter. Essex LLC grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Essex LLC now owns 27,570 shares of the company's stock worth $4,006,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Orca Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Orca Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,067 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,172,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting Merck & Co., Inc.

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

• Positive Sentiment: Keytruda and pipeline catalysts support Q3 optimism. Continued Keytruda sales growth, expanded indications and newer launches could help Merck exceed third-quarter expectations. Will Keytruda Continue to Aid Merck's Top Line in Q3 Earnings?
• Positive Sentiment: Oncology pipeline data is an important longer-term catalyst. Merck plans to present first-time pivotal Phase 3 results from three studies and more than 90 additional abstracts at ESMO 2026, potentially providing evidence of growth opportunities as Keytruda eventually faces biosimilar pressure. Merck ESMO 2026 Oncology Pipeline Announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Management sounded constructive on the Moderna cancer vaccine partnership. CEO Rob Davis said manufacturing of the personalized cancer vaccine should become faster and more efficient as Merck and Moderna refine the complex production process. Merck CEO Discusses Cancer Vaccine Manufacturing
• Positive Sentiment: Leerink Partners initiated or reiterated a Buy rating on Merck, adding favorable analyst sentiment. Merck Gets a Buy Rating from Leerink Partners

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Argus raised their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $145.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 25th. Leerink Partners lifted their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $127.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 9th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $152.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 20th. 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. Finally, CICC Research assumed coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Wednesday, June 24th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $138.00 target price on the stock. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $151.92.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP David Williams sold 52,847 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.77, for a total transaction of $6,805,108.19. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 31,716 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $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 accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 20,784 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.43, for a total value of $2,710,857.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 134,703 shares of the company's stock, valued at $17,569,312.29. This trade represents a 13.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 228,238 shares of company stock worth $29,977,783. Insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Up 3.9%

MRK stock opened at $147.47 on Thursday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a one year low of $82.01 and a one year high of $156.92. 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 firm's fifty day moving average is $144.91 and its 200 day moving average is $128.93. The firm has a market cap of $363.83 billion, a PE ratio of 117.97, a P/E/G ratio of 6.56 and a beta of 0.21.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last posted its 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. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 4.77% and a return on equity of 16.73%. The business had revenue of $16.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.37 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.13 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.66 EPS for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.'s payout ratio is currently 272.00%.

Merck & Co., Inc. 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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