Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Shares Bought by Parallel Advisors LLC

Parallel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 7.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 56,169 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,968 shares during the quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $6,757,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 413,565 shares of the company’s stock valued at $49,748,000 after acquiring an additional 17,134 shares during the period. Optiver Holding B.V. purchased a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 1st quarter worth approximately $519,000. First Nebraska Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 1st quarter worth approximately $12,535,000. Financial Solutions Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $610,000. Finally, Allen Capital Group LLC increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. Allen Capital Group LLC now owns 10,615 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,277,000 after purchasing an additional 621 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company’s stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

Merck & Co., Inc. stock opened at $128.33 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52-week low of $77.58 and a 52-week high of $135.05. The firm has a market cap of $316.95 billion, a PE ratio of 102.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.13 and a beta of 0.19. The company’s 50 day moving average is $123.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $118.91.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.13. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 4.77% and a return on equity of 16.05%. The business had revenue of $16.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.37 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.13 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.’s payout ratio is presently 272.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MRK has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $120.00 price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, July 6th. Wall Street Zen lowered Merck & Co., Inc. from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Finally, Guggenheim raised their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $145.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $134.56.

Merck & Co., Inc. News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Merck reported second-quarter revenue of $16.61 billion, above the $16.37 billion consensus estimate, while its adjusted loss of $0.13 per share was narrower than the expected $0.26 loss. Revenue grew 5.1% year over year. Merck posts better-than-expected second-quarter results on Keytruda strength
• Positive Sentiment: Keytruda remained the primary growth driver, generating $8.37 billion in quarterly sales, while the injectable formulation substantially exceeded Wall Street expectations. Newer products and pipeline programs also supported the company’s performance. The Merck Product That Absolutely Demolished Wall Street’s Forecasts
• Positive Sentiment: Merck raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $66.3 billion-$67.3 billion, reflecting confidence in Keytruda, newer launches and pipeline progress. Guggenheim also raised its price target to $146 and maintained a Buy rating. MRK Q2 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates, ’26 Sales View Raised
• Positive Sentiment: Health Canada approved Keytruda combined with enfortumab vedotin for certain cisplatin-ineligible patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, expanding the drug’s commercial reach. Health Canada approves Keytruda treatment
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck is accelerating acquisitions and partnerships in hematology, infectious diseases, vaccines, cardiopulmonary medicine and obesity to diversify ahead of Keytruda’s expected U.S. patent-exclusivity loss in 2028. The strategy offers long-term upside but increases execution and spending risks. Merck is racing beyond Keytruda
• Negative Sentiment: Merck lowered its 2026 EPS guidance to $2.66-$2.76, well below the $3.42 consensus, primarily because of acquisition-related charges tied to Terns Pharmaceuticals and other deals. Merck hikes revenue outlook but cuts profit guidance
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain concerned that Keytruda’s 2028 patent cliff could create a significant revenue gap unless newer products, acquisitions and clinical programs deliver sufficient replacement growth. Merck also reported a mixed development update for anti-TL1A drug tulisokibart, which was discontinued in one rare lung-disease indication. MSD posts a victory and defeat for anti-TL1A

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.