Dynasty Wealth Management LLC Takes $1.02 Million Position in Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Dynasty Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 12,148 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,020,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MRK. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 29.5% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 38,278 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,808,000 after purchasing an additional 8,710 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 52.2% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 11,494 shares of the company’s stock valued at $910,000 after buying an additional 3,941 shares during the period. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC increased its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.1% during the second quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 4,741 shares of the company’s stock valued at $375,000 after buying an additional 272 shares during the period. Park Avenue Securities LLC bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the second quarter worth about $4,603,000. Finally, U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 7.7% in the second quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 35,420 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,804,000 after buying an additional 2,532 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.07% of the company’s stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MRK opened at $109.58 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $271.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.48, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.29. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $73.31 and a twelve month high of $112.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The company has a 50 day moving average of $102.92 and a 200 day moving average of $90.54.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.94 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.08 by ($0.14). Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 44.54% and a net margin of 29.63%. As a group, research analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. This is an increase from Merck & Co., Inc.’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. Merck & Co., Inc.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.91%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP David Michael Williams sold 8,614 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.59, for a total value of $720,044.26. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 24,578 shares in the company, valued at $2,054,475.02. The trade was a 25.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MRK has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Scotiabank upped their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $90.00 to $125.00 in a report on Monday, November 24th. Wall Street Zen lowered Merck & Co., Inc. from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $82.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $114.20.

Merck & Co., Inc. News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target on MRK to $120 (from $100) while keeping a “hold” rating, implying roughly mid‑teens upside vs. recent levels — a near‑term analyst tailwind for the stock. Benzinga
• Positive Sentiment: Moderna and Merck reported five‑year Phase 2b data showing their individualized mRNA cancer vaccine (intismeran autogene) plus KEYTRUDA reduced recurrence or death by ~49% in high‑risk melanoma — a major clinical win that strengthens Merck’s oncology franchise and future revenue/pipeline upside. Moderna, Merck skin cancer vaccine shows sustained benefit
• Positive Sentiment: Market commentary and buy-side interest highlighting Merck’s strategic M&A and pipeline expansion (including recent analyst upgrades and positive articles listing MRK among top oncology/dividend picks) support a bullish narrative around durable cash flow plus growth. Merck poised for breakout
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo reaffirmed its buy rating on MRK, which reinforces existing bullish views but does not change immediate expectations. Wells Fargo reaffirms buy
• Neutral Sentiment: General investor pieces positioning MRK as a “forever stock” or dividend play highlight defensive qualities and long‑term appeal, which can support multiple expansion but are less likely to drive near‑term moves. MarketBeat forever stocks
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks highlights continued weakness in Gardasil sales—notably in China and Japan—which could pressure Merck’s Q4 revenues and temper upside from pipeline headlines. Will weak Gardasil sales continue?
• Negative Sentiment: Insider/insider-like selling reports (e.g., a disclosure of a Rep. Julie Johnson sale) can add short‑term noise and negative sentiment, though such sales are often routine and historically have limited lasting impact. Rep. Julie Johnson sells MRK shares

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.