Swedbank AB Sells 692,455 Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Key Points

• Swedbank AB sold 692,455 shares of Merck in Q4 (an 8.3% trim), leaving it with 7,651,671 shares worth about $805.4 million and making MRK its 21st largest holding (Merck ≈0.8% of Swedbank's portfolio; Swedbank owns ~0.31% of Merck).
• Merck reported a narrower-than-expected loss for the quarter (EPS $(1.28) vs. $(1.47) est.) with revenue of $16.29B (vs. $15.85B est., +4.9% YoY) and set FY2026 guidance of $5.040–$5.160 EPS (analysts average ~5.15).
• Company catalysts and sentiment are positive: Merck completed the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals and continues to benefit from KEYTRUDA-driven growth, while several analysts raised price targets (Guggenheim and Barclays to $140) leaving a consensus “Moderate Buy” and an average target of $128.18.

Swedbank AB trimmed its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) by 8.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,651,671 shares of the company's stock after selling 692,455 shares during the period. Merck & Co., Inc. accounts for approximately 0.8% of Swedbank AB's holdings, making the stock its 21st largest position. Swedbank AB owned about 0.31% of Merck & Co., Inc. worth $805,415,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,142 shares of the company's stock worth $331,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 26.9% in the fourth quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 444 shares of the company's stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Payne Capital LLC grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Payne Capital LLC now owns 10,637 shares of the company's stock worth $1,120,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Abound Wealth Management grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.8% in the fourth quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 1,554 shares of the company's stock worth $164,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 38,645 shares of the company's stock worth $4,068,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. 76.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of MRK stock opened at $113.21 on Wednesday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52-week low of $73.31 and a 52-week high of $125.14. The stock has a market cap of $279.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.54. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $117.51 and a 200-day moving average of $107.91.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported ($1.28) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($1.47) by $0.19. The business had revenue of $16.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $15.85 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 13.59% and a return on equity of 26.84%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.22 EPS. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.040-5.160 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 5.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on MRK. Guggenheim increased their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $122.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Barclays began coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Friday, February 20th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price target for the company. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, March 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $116.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $128.18.

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

In related news, CMO Chirfi Guindo sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.41, for a total transaction of $1,184,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 70,615 shares in the company, valued at $8,361,522.15. This trade represents a 12.40% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP David Michael Williams sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.91, for a total transaction of $609,550.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 30,838 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,759,460.58. This trade represents a 13.95% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 209,258 shares of company stock worth $25,101,593 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Merck completed the acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals, adding clinical-stage oncology assets to its pipeline—a near-term catalyst for growth and synergy expectations. Merck Completes Acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and commentators point to continued KEYTRUDA-driven revenue and a strong pipeline; Merck delivered its fourth straight beat, supporting the view the stock may be undervalued on a longer-term basis. Merck Stock Looks Undervalued as KEYTRUDA Growth and Pipeline Offset Near-Term Headwinds
• Positive Sentiment: High-profile media support: Jim Cramer highlighted Merck’s solid quarter and said the stock is “starting to come back,” which can boost retail demand and sentiment. Jim Cramer on Merck & Co.: “The Stock’s Starting to Come Back”
• Neutral Sentiment: Institutional commentary: recent investor letters and analyst write-ups (e.g., Baron Capital coverage) review Merck as a core healthcare holding—useful background but not an immediate catalyst. What Makes Merck & Co. (MRK) an Investment Bet?
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector news: Pfizer beat Q1 estimates but faces a looming patent cliff; competitive results and sector rotation can influence pharma multiples and investor attention, creating mixed pressure across large peers including Merck. Pfizer Beats Sales Estimates As $17 Billion Patent Cliff Looms
• Negative Sentiment: Technical/short-term risk: chart analysts warn a double-top breakdown and moving-average pressures that could produce a deeper correction, which may cap near-term upside despite fundamental positives. Merck (MRK) Price Forecast: Double Top Signals Deeper Correction Risk

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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