Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Stock Acquired by Strategy Asset Managers LLC

Key Points

• Strategy Asset Managers increased its Merck stake by 31.9% in the third quarter to 48,703 shares valued at approximately $7.1 million. Institutional investors collectively own 76.07% of MRK.
• Merck reported quarterly revenue of $16.61 billion, exceeding estimates, while revenue rose 5.1% year over year; the company also maintains a quarterly dividend of $0.85 per share, or a 2.3% annualized yield.
• Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy consensus with an average price target of $151.92, though insiders sold roughly 228,238 shares worth $30.0 million over the past 90 days.

Strategy Asset Managers LLC raised its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 31.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 48,703 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 11,779 shares during the quarter. Merck & Co., Inc. makes up about 0.9% of Strategy Asset Managers LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Strategy Asset Managers LLC's holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $7,077,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Johnson Bixby & Associates LLC boosted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 3.9% during the third quarter. Johnson Bixby & Associates LLC now owns 4,415 shares of the company's stock worth $642,000 after acquiring an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. Western Financial Corp CA increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 531.0% in the 3rd quarter. Western Financial Corp CA now owns 34,512 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,015,000 after acquiring an additional 29,043 shares during the last quarter. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 10.3% in the 3rd quarter. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC now owns 8,266 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,201,000 after acquiring an additional 775 shares during the last quarter. Essex LLC lifted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.2% in 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Orca Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of 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 during the last quarter. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

Merck & Co., Inc. stock opened at $147.47 on Thursday. The company's 50-day moving average price is $144.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $128.93. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $82.01 and a twelve month high of $156.92. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The company has a market cap of $363.83 billion, a PE ratio of 117.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.56 and a beta of 0.21.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $16.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.37 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.13 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Merck & Co., Inc.

In other news, EVP Chirfi Guindo sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.00, for a total value of $1,350,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 36,613 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,942,755. This trade represents a 21.45% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Jennifer Zachary sold 80,315 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 45,509 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,073,631.14. This trade represents a 63.83% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 228,238 shares of company stock valued at $29,977,783. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MRK shares. Berenberg Bank lifted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $127.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, September 11th. Daiwa Securities Group raised Merck & Co., Inc. from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $143.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, October 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $152.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $151.92.

Merck & Co., Inc. News Summary

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

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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