NewEdge Advisors LLC Purchases 41,950 Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Key Points

• NewEdge Advisors increased its Merck position by 10.1% in the second quarter, adding 41,950 shares to hold 455,515 shares valued at approximately $58.5 million. Institutional investors collectively own 76.07% of MRK.
• Merck reported quarterly revenue of $16.61 billion, ahead of estimates, while revenue rose 5.1% year over year. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus, with an average price target of $149.80.
• Investors continue to weigh Merck’s growth prospects against risks including Keytruda’s expected 2028 patent expiration and earlier Gardasil sales weakness. Recent analyst actions were largely positive, while insiders sold roughly $30 million of shares over the past quarter.

NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 455,515 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 41,950 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC's holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $58,534,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MRK. Kingdom Financial Group LLC. acquired a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Prosperity Bancshares Inc acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Abound Financial LLC bought a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Graney & King LLC lifted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 400.0% during the 2nd quarter. Graney & King LLC now owns 250 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company's stock.

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

In related news, EVP David R. Maraldo sold 18,706 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were 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 directly owned 18,212 shares in the company, valued at $2,344,248.64. This represents a 50.67% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Chirfi Guindo sold 15,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.00, for a total transaction of $1,965,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 46,613 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,106,303. This trade represents a 24.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 228,238 shares of company stock valued at $29,977,783. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Merck & Co., Inc.

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

• Positive Sentiment: Guggenheim raised its price target to $170 from $146 and reiterated a “Buy” rating, implying roughly 14.5% upside from the referenced price. The upgrade provides a bullish signal and may support MRK by indicating confidence in Merck’s earnings outlook and product pipeline. Benzinga analyst note
• Positive Sentiment: Keytruda continues to drive Merck’s growth, while newer products and pipeline programs could help offset the expected impact of the drug’s 2028 patent cliff. The company’s strong recent return and revenue momentum reinforce the longer-term growth case. Merck trading near 52-week high analysis
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck will participate in Morgan Stanley’s 24th Annual Global Healthcare Conference. The event could provide updates on Keytruda, Gardasil, pipeline assets, and post-2028 planning, but no new financial information was disclosed in the announcement. Morgan Stanley healthcare conference announcement
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck is participating in a cocoa traceability and digital product-passport pilot with The Hashgraph Group and PwC Germany. The initiative may support corporate sustainability efforts but is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Cocoa traceability partnership
• Negative Sentiment: MRK’s valuation is elevated after its substantial rally, increasing the risk that investors will demand continued strong execution. Analysts and investors are also watching whether Merck can replace Keytruda revenue after the 2028 patent expiration. Merck Gardasil and future growth analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Gardasil’s earlier sales decline remains part of the investment debate, even though management is now emphasizing longer-term growth opportunities. Continued vaccine-market pressure could weigh on sentiment until the company demonstrates a sustained recovery. Gardasil outlook analysis

Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Down 1.3%

Shares of NYSE:MRK opened at $148.44 on Wednesday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12-month low of $77.58 and a 12-month high of $156.92. The stock has a market cap of $366.23 billion, a PE ratio of 118.75, a P/E/G ratio of 6.54 and a beta of 0.21. The business has a 50 day moving average of $135.46 and a 200-day moving average of $123.92. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.26) by $0.13. The company 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%. Merck & Co., Inc.'s quarterly revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.13 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on MRK. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $142.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Barclays upped their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $120.00 target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Guggenheim boosted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $146.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $149.80.

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. The company serves patients, healthcare providers, and customers in markets worldwide through its Human Health and Animal Health businesses.

Merck's pharmaceutical portfolio includes oncology, infectious disease, cardiology, immunology, and other therapeutic areas. Its products include Keytruda, an immunotherapy used to treat various cancers; Gardasil, a vaccine that helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV); and Januvia, a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

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