FY2027 Earnings Forecast for MRK Issued By Erste Group Bank

Key Points

• Erste Group trimmed its FY2027 EPS forecast for Merck to $9.62 from $9.73, while the MarketBeat consensus for the current full-year EPS is reported at $4.89.
• Multiple brokers have recently upgraded or raised targets on MRK (e.g., Deutsche Bank to "buy" with a $150 target; Barclays "overweight" at $140), leaving a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $128.47.
• Merck recently beat quarterly expectations ($2.04 EPS vs. $2.01 expected; revenue $16.40B vs. $16.19B) and set FY2026 guidance at $5.00–$5.15 EPS.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Erste Group Bank reduced their FY2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Merck & Co., Inc. in a report issued on Monday, April 27th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $9.62 per share for the year, down from their prior forecast of $9.73. The consensus estimate for Merck & Co., Inc.'s current full-year earnings is $4.89 per share.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on MRK. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $150.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, February 13th. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, March 28th. Barclays initiated coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Friday, February 20th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $140.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $128.47.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of MRK opened at $110.13 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.54. Merck & Co., Inc. has a one year low of $73.31 and a one year high of $125.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $272.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.13, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.26. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $118.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $107.35.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $2.04 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.01 by $0.03. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 44.57% and a net margin of 28.08%.The business had revenue of $16.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $16.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.72 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.000-5.150 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Merck & Co., Inc.

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MRK. Chemung Canal Trust Co. grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 21.1% during the 3rd quarter. Chemung Canal Trust Co. now owns 76,338 shares of the company's stock worth $6,407,000 after buying an additional 13,285 shares during the last quarter. First Pacific Financial grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 14.7% during the 3rd quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 47,555 shares of the company's stock worth $3,991,000 after buying an additional 6,082 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 4.4% during the 4th quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 576,959 shares of the company's stock worth $60,731,000 after buying an additional 24,576 shares during the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 207,838 shares of the company's stock worth $17,444,000 after buying an additional 18,187 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 48.9% during the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 97,818 shares of the company's stock worth $10,296,000 after buying an additional 32,114 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Jennifer Zachary sold 121,573 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.15, for a total transaction of $14,485,422.95. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 68,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,211,341.40. This represents a 63.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Caroline Litchfield sold 41,997 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.61, for a total value of $5,023,261.17. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 90,192 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,787,865.12. The trade was a 31.77% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 320,176 shares of company stock worth $38,281,735 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Merck & Co., Inc.

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

• Positive Sentiment: Regulatory clearance for Terns deal and pipeline news — Merck reported the Hart‑Scott‑Rodino waiting period expired for its Terns Pharmaceuticals acquisition, and the company highlighted CADENCE proof‑of‑concept data for Winrevair plus European approval of ENFLONSIA for infant RSV prevention, all of which strengthen growth options beyond oncology. Merck Advances Terns Deal And Cardiovascular And RSV Growth Options
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst previews point to an earnings beat probability — multiple Zacks pieces and a Seeking Alpha note emphasize Merck’s history of beats and favorable positioning (Keytruda/Winrevair) heading into Q1, which can lift sentiment if results confirm expectations. Will Merck (MRK) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?
• Positive Sentiment: Addressable oncology growth remains visible — market coverage of the peripheral T‑cell lymphoma treatment market cites KEYTRUDA among leading therapies, underlining ongoing demand for Merck’s oncology franchise. Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Market to Witness Significant Expansion
• Neutral Sentiment: HPV market growth report — an industry report highlights strong vaccine adoption and R&D in HPV, naming Merck as a key player; long‑term upside for vaccine sales but limited immediate stock impact. Human Papillomavirus Market Research Report 2025-2035
• Neutral Sentiment: Inclusion in industrial market reports (bulk filtration) — Merck appears as an industry participant in filtration market analyses, reflecting exposure to industrial trends but not a near‑term stock driver. Bulk Filtration Market Report 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Corporate PR / awareness program — Merck’s "Playing with Heart" campaign with baseball teams raises LDL‑C awareness (brand/engagement benefit) but is unlikely to move fundamentals. Merck's Playing with Heart Program Teams Up With Professional Baseball Clubs
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector M&A noise — Sun Pharma’s acquisition of Organon highlights active pharma M&A but doesn’t directly change Merck’s fundamentals; watch for broader valuation/strategic ripple effects. Organon Agrees to Be Acquired by Sun Pharmaceutical
• Negative Sentiment: Earnings uncertainty ahead of Q1 — some previews show a wide range of expectations and note headline metrics investors will focus on; any miss or weak guidance on Keytruda/other products could push the stock lower. Buy, Sell or Hold MRK Stock With Q1 Earnings Around the Corner?

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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