Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) Given New $120.00 Price Target at TD Cowen

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) had its price target boosted by TD Cowen from $100.00 to $120.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. TD Cowen currently has a hold rating on the stock.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $92.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Citigroup boosted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $95.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. BMO Capital Markets raised Merck & Co., Inc. from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and upped their target price for the company from $82.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $110.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Eight investment 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.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $114.20.

Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of MRK stock opened at $109.58 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $271.98 billion, a PE ratio of 14.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.29. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1 year low of $73.31 and a 1 year high of $112.90. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $102.92 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $90.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.66 and a quick ratio of 1.44.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last announced 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%. Research analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. This is a boost from Merck & Co., Inc.’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.’s payout ratio is currently 44.91%.

Insider Transactions at Merck & Co., Inc.

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP David Michael Williams sold 8,614 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.59, for a total transaction of $720,044.26. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 24,578 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,054,475.02. This trade represents a 25.95% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Payne Capital LLC boosted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Payne Capital LLC now owns 10,637 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,120,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Abound Wealth Management increased 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 buying an additional 99 shares during the period. Mattern Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Mattern Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,033 shares of the company’s stock valued at $635,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc now owns 14,137 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,488,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the period. Finally, Lake Street Private Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Lake Street Private Wealth LLC now owns 5,203 shares of the company’s stock valued at $548,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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

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.