Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Shares Sold by Beese Fulmer Investment Management Inc.

Beese Fulmer Investment Management Inc. decreased its position in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 7.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 154,887 shares of the company’s stock after selling 12,251 shares during the period. Beese Fulmer Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $13,000,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Chemung Canal Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 21.1% in the third 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 raised its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 14.7% during the third quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 47,555 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,991,000 after acquiring an additional 6,082 shares in the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co raised its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 9.6% during the third quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 207,838 shares of the company’s stock valued at $17,444,000 after acquiring an additional 18,187 shares in the last quarter. Caxton Associates LLP lifted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 23.3% in the second quarter. Caxton Associates LLP now owns 39,421 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,121,000 after acquiring an additional 7,458 shares during the period. Finally, Thompson Davis & CO. Inc. acquired a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,168,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company’s stock.

More Merck & Co., Inc. News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Late‑stage trial wins for oncology and HIV programs (KEYTRUDA, WELIREG regimens and DOR/ISL HIV therapy) that show improved survival and broadened indications—these readouts raise near‑term revenue potential and long‑term pipeline value. Merck Trial Wins Shape Oncology And HIV Prospects For Investors
• Positive Sentiment: Stock moving higher within the S&P 500 — market‑level strength and rotation into large pharma/defensive names is supporting MRK’s price action. Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK) Moves Higher Within S&P 500 Index Amid Gains
• Positive Sentiment: Expanding neuroendocrine carcinoma market and other oncology indications — market forecasts to 2036 increase the addressable opportunity for Merck’s targeted therapies, supporting longer‑term growth assumptions for KEYTRUDA and companion assets. Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Market Poised for Significant Growth During the Forecast Period (2026-2036) Driven by Rising Incidence and Advancements in Targeted Therapies | DelveInsight
• Neutral Sentiment: Vaccine franchise market reports (Ervebo, M‑M‑R II, Pneumovax 23, Elonva) highlight steady long‑term demand and niche growth opportunities—positive background but unlikely to move near‑term results absent new approvals or major contract wins. Ervebo (Merck & Co) Market Research Report 2026: Epidemiology, Pipeline Analysis, Trends, Strategies, & Forecasts, 2020-2025, 2025-2030F, 2035F
• Negative Sentiment: Persistent weakness in Gardasil sales (down ~39% in 2025 with weak China demand) — management expects no near‑term rebound, which pressures top‑line growth and investor expectations for vaccine contribution to revenue. Will Weak Gardasil Sales Continue to Weigh on MRK’s Top Line in 2026?
• Negative Sentiment: RBC caution on Winrevair — analyst says the COPD candidate must show a ≥20‑meter improvement in 6‑minute walk to restore confidence; this raises clinical/regulatory uncertainty that could limit upside for that program. Merck’s Winrevair Must Show Walk Distance Improvement to Build Confidence, RBC Says

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

Merck & Co., Inc. stock opened at $117.14 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $114.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $99.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $289.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.09, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52-week low of $73.31 and a 52-week high of $125.14.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $2.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.01 by $0.03. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 28.08% and a return on equity of 44.57%. The firm had revenue of $16.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.72 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc.’s quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.000-5.150 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 16th. Merck & Co., Inc.’s payout ratio is currently 46.70%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Guggenheim increased their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $122.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Merck & Co., Inc. from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $125.88.

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

In related news, CFO Caroline Litchfield sold 41,997 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.61, for a total transaction of $5,023,261.17. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 90,192 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,787,865.12. This trade represents a 31.77% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 37,685 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.92, for a total value of $4,556,870.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 160,174 shares in the company, valued at $19,368,240.08. This trade represents a 19.05% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 320,176 shares of company stock worth $38,281,735. 0.09% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.