Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Stock Position Trimmed by Stockman Wealth Management Inc.

Key Points

• Stockman Wealth Management cut its Merck stake by 7.5% in the third quarter, selling 12,730 shares and retaining 156,931 shares worth approximately $22.8 million. Institutional investors collectively own 76.07% of MRK.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive overall: 17 analysts rate Merck a Buy, nine a Hold and one a Sell, producing a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $153.12.
• Merck’s latest quarter beat earnings and revenue expectations, while KEYTRUDA trial results support its oncology pipeline. However, investors face risks from weaker Gardasil demand, declining earnings estimates and upcoming patent exposure.

Stockman Wealth Management Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 156,931 shares of the company's stock after selling 12,730 shares during the quarter. Merck & Co., Inc. makes up 2.4% of Stockman Wealth Management Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Stockman Wealth Management Inc.'s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $22,804,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in MRK. Bullseye Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Curry Webb Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. Horizons Wealth Management bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Graney & King LLC raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Graney & King LLC now owns 250 shares of the company's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, Montgomery Financial Services LLC bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on MRK. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 25th. Rothschild & Co Redburn upped their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. UBS Group upped their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $145.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $179.00 to $177.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 7th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $137.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $153.12.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, 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 value of $2,407,836.32. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,344,248.64. The trade was a 50.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Jennifer Zachary sold 80,315 shares of the 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 sale, the executive vice president directly owned 45,509 shares in the company, valued at $6,073,631.14. This represents a 63.83% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 228,238 shares of company stock valued at $29,977,783 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

NYSE:MRK opened at $141.03 on Thursday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52 week low of $82.01 and a 52 week high of $156.92. The firm has a market cap of $347.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 112.83, a P/E/G ratio of 6.74 and a beta of 0.21. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $147.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is $126.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.32.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.13. The business 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 business's revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.13 EPS. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.64 earnings per share for the current year.

Trending Headlines about Merck & Co., Inc.

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

• Positive Sentiment: Merck’s KEYTRUDA reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 43% in a Phase 3 endometrial-cancer trial. The result strengthens the company’s oncology franchise and could support future label expansion and revenue growth. Merck's KEYTRUDA Cuts Progression Risk By 43% In Phase 3 Endometrial Cancer Trial
• Positive Sentiment: Additional oncology readouts, including positive results from the Moderna-partnered melanoma vaccine and other cancer treatments, are providing fresh support for Merck’s pipeline and long-term growth prospects. Merck Gains Fresh Oncology Backing As Valuation Debate Heats Up
• Positive Sentiment: Broker commentary remains broadly constructive, with Barclays forecasting significant appreciation potential and other analysts highlighting KEYTRUDA demand and new-drug growth ahead of the earnings release. Barclays Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Merck
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck is scheduled to report third-quarter results before the market opens on October 29. Investors are focused on KEYTRUDA sales, full-year guidance and management’s outlook for the pipeline. Dear Merck Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for October 29
• Neutral Sentiment: The Moderna-Merck melanoma vaccine cut recurrence risk by 42% in a Phase 3 trial, but the outcome reportedly fell short of investor expectations, limiting its immediate effect on MRK. Merck and Moderna's Cancer Vaccine Worked
• Negative Sentiment: Pre-earnings concerns include difficult year-over-year comparisons, declining earnings estimates, weaker Gardasil demand and looming patent exposure. These factors could offset strong KEYTRUDA performance and increase volatility around the report. Is Merck Stock a Buy, Sell or Hold Ahead of Q3 Earnings?

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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