Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) Shares Up 1.5% After Analyst Upgrade

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)’s share price shot up 1.5% during trading on Wednesday after TD Cowen raised their price target on the stock from $100.00 to $120.00. TD Cowen currently has a hold rating on the stock. Merck & Co., Inc. traded as high as $111.97 and last traded at $111.09. 12,832,522 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 4% from the average session volume of 13,433,054 shares. The stock had previously closed at $109.45.

MRK has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Bank of America lifted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $92.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their target price for the company from $90.00 to $125.00 in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $95.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $114.20.

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

In other news, EVP David Michael Williams sold 8,614 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 owned 24,578 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,054,475.02. This represents a 25.95% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

Key Merck & Co., Inc. News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Five‑year data from the Moderna + Merck cancer‑vaccine study showed a sustained, clinically meaningful reduction in risk of recurrence or death for high‑risk melanoma when given with KEYTRUDA — a result that boosts Merck’s oncology franchise and long‑term revenue potential. Moderna, Merck’s skin cancer vaccine shows sustained benefit after five years
• Positive Sentiment: Merck and CEPI launched a $30M program to develop a more affordable Ebola vaccine aimed at improving access in low‑ and middle‑income countries — positive for Merck’s public‑health standing and potential future demand in emerging markets. Merck partners with global health coalition to develop affordable Ebola vaccine
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target on MRK from $100 to $120 (maintaining a Hold), signaling analyst confidence in upside versus the prior target and supporting the stock’s move. TD Cowen raises MRK price target
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage and analyst commentary highlighting Merck’s M&A activity and pipeline expansion (especially in oncology) are fueling bullish sentiment that MRK could re‑rate if execution continues. Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Poised for Breakout After Strategic M&A and Pipeline Expansion
• Neutral Sentiment: Short market note: MRK was reported to have traded higher than the broader market in the recent session — a snapshot confirming the intraday strength but not a standalone catalyst. Merck (MRK) Rises Higher Than Market: Key Facts
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck appears on dividend/yield screens (e.g., “Dogs of the Dow” coverage), which can attract income‑oriented investors but is peripheral to near‑term fundamental drivers. The Dogs of the Dow: 10 Downtrodden Dividends Paying Out Up to 6.8%
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts warn Gardasil sales remain weak in China and Japan, creating near‑term revenue pressure heading into Q4 results — a clear negative that could limit upside until growth stabilizes. Will Weak Gardasil Sales Continue to Ail MRK Revenues in Q4 Earnings?

Institutional Trading of Merck & Co., Inc.

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MRK. DLD Asset Management LP bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,889,340,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the second quarter valued at approximately $2,858,570,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 23.5% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 27,032,601 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,139,901,000 after purchasing an additional 5,135,748 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 35.5% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 19,456,096 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,540,145,000 after purchasing an additional 5,094,088 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 9.4% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 53,865,466 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,263,991,000 after purchasing an additional 4,636,183 shares during the last quarter. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Up 1.5%

The firm’s 50 day moving average is $103.31 and its 200 day moving average is $90.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.66 and a quick ratio of 1.44. The company has a market capitalization of $275.73 billion, a PE ratio of 14.68, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.29.

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

Merck & Co., Inc. Increases Dividend

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

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.