VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al Invests $79.56 Million in Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Key Points

• Virginia Retirement Systems purchased 619,138 Merck shares worth approximately $79.56 million in the second quarter, while institutional investors collectively own 76.07% of MRK.
• Merck reported quarterly revenue of $16.61 billion, exceeding estimates, and posted EPS of a $0.13 loss versus an expected $0.26 loss. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $0.85 per share, yielding about 2.3% annually.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $148.60; however, company insiders sold roughly $29.98 million of stock over the past 90 days.

VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 619,138 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $79,559,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MRK. Kingdom Financial Group LLC. bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Prosperity Bancshares Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Abound Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Graney & King LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 400.0% in the second quarter. Graney & King LLC now owns 250 shares of the company's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Merck & Co., Inc.

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 11,699 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.63, for a total transaction of $1,539,939.37. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 110,167 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,501,282.21. The trade was a 9.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP David Williams sold 52,847 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.77, for a total transaction of $6,805,108.19. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 31,716 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,084,069.32. This represents a 62.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 228,238 shares of company stock valued at $29,977,783 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Up 0.0%

MRK stock opened at $150.37 on Monday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12 month low of $77.58 and a 12 month high of $156.92. The firm has a market cap of $370.99 billion, a PE ratio of 120.30, a P/E/G ratio of 6.54 and a beta of 0.21. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $134.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of $123.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.10.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.37 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.13 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue 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. Equities research analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.'s payout ratio is presently 272.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays upped their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $142.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Merck & Co., Inc. from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, CICC Research started coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $138.00 target price for the company. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $148.60.

Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile

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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