Sigma Planning Corp Acquires 10,367 Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Key Points

• Sigma Planning Corp increased its stake in Merck by 28.3% in Q4, buying an additional 10,367 shares to hold 46,968 shares worth about $4.94 million.
• CEO Robert M. Davis and other insiders have been selling stock recently — Davis sold 47,434 shares (a 9.66% reduction) and insiders disposed of 320,176 shares totaling roughly $38.28 million over the past 90 days.
• Merck beat Q1 revenue and adjusted EPS estimates (revenue $16.29B) and set FY‑2026 EPS guidance of $5.04–$5.16, while analysts remain broadly positive with an average target around $128.18.

Sigma Planning Corp grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 28.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 46,968 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 10,367 shares during the quarter. Sigma Planning Corp's holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $4,944,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Cullinan Associates Inc. boosted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Cullinan Associates Inc. now owns 50,534 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,319,000 after acquiring an additional 910 shares during the period. North Star Investment Management Corp. lifted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 57,594 shares of the company's stock worth $6,062,000 after purchasing an additional 419 shares during the period. Verity Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 2.2% in the fourth quarter. Verity Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,726 shares of the company's stock worth $918,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter worth $585,192,000. Finally, Wagner Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 24.3% in the fourth quarter. Wagner Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,525 shares of the company's stock worth $582,000 after purchasing an additional 1,081 shares during the period. 76.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Robert M. Davis sold 47,434 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.04, for a total value of $5,599,109.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 443,602 shares in the company, valued at approximately $52,362,780.08. This trade represents a 9.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CMO Chirfi Guindo sold 20,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.88, for a total value of $2,437,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 80,615 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $9,825,356.20. This trade represents a 19.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 320,176 shares of company stock valued at $38,281,735. 0.17% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MRK has been the subject of several research reports. Wall Street Zen raised Merck & Co., Inc. from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, March 28th. UBS Group raised their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Barclays initiated coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Friday, February 20th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 target price for the company. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $142.00 target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Monday, March 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $128.18.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

Merck & Co., Inc. stock opened at $112.30 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.54 and a quick ratio of 1.30. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $117.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $107.39. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52-week low of $73.31 and a 52-week high of $125.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $277.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.43, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.26.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported ($1.28) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($1.47) by $0.19. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 26.84% and a net margin of 13.59%.The firm had revenue of $16.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.85 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.22 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.040-5.160 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 4.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Trending Headlines about Merck & Co., Inc.

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat expectations — Merck posted revenue and adjusted EPS above Street forecasts with Keytruda and Winrevair driving growth; the beats and upbeat commentary lifted investor sentiment. Merck tops Q1 estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Regulatory approvals & pipeline progress expand addressable markets — Merck won FDA approval for a new 2‑drug HIV regimen (IDVYNSO) and EC approval for ENFLONSIA for RSV prevention; the company also dosed the first patient in Phase 3 enpatoran lupus trials, adding long‑term growth optionality. Merck expands beyond oncology
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst action mixed — Wells Fargo trimmed its price target to $145 but kept an Overweight rating, signaling continued confidence despite a modestly lower PT. Wells Fargo lowers PT
• Neutral Sentiment: FY‑2026 guidance and outlook — Merck provided EPS guidance of $5.04–$5.16 and a narrowed sales view ($65.8B–$67.0B). Guidance is close to consensus but tighter ranges mean less revenue upside visibility near term. Merck Q1 financial results
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector context — Biotech peers are mixed (Moderna saw vaccine revenue rebound but its stock fell; Organon missed), so some moves reflect broader healthcare rotation rather than Merck‑specific news. Moderna Covid vaccine drives growth
• Negative Sentiment: Acquisition-related charge produced a GAAP loss — A Cidara-related charge drove a quarterly GAAP loss, which clouds headline profitability despite the operational beat. Merck posts quarterly loss due to Cidara charge
• Negative Sentiment: Longer-term growth risks flagged — Coverage noted potential future pressure from lost sales on some products (e.g., competitive threats to Keytruda, HPV and diabetes medicines) and Merck said it is working on mitigations. That risk keeps some investors cautious. Merck stock falls after earnings

About Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co, Inc is a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products. Its portfolio spans multiple therapeutic areas with a particular emphasis on oncology, vaccines and infectious disease, as well as therapies for metabolic and chronic conditions. Among its well-known products are the cancer immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and the human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil; the company also markets a range of medicines and vaccines for veterinary use through Merck Animal Health.

Founded in the late 19th century as the U.S.

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