United Asset Strategies Inc. Boosts Stake in Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

United Asset Strategies Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 14.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 217,195 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 26,930 shares during the period. Merck & Co., Inc. comprises about 1.8% of United Asset Strategies Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. United Asset Strategies Inc.’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $22,862,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MRK. Darwin Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 237.4% during the 3rd quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC now owns 307 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 302.3% during the 3rd quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 354 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. United Financial Planning Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Wealth Watch Advisors INC acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 83.0% during the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 419 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. 76.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

MRK stock opened at $112.87 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market cap of $278.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.26. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12-month low of $73.31 and a 12-month high of $125.14. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $118.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $106.53.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.01 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $16.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.19 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 44.57% and a net margin of 28.08%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.72 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.000-5.150 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 4.93 EPS for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 16th were given a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 16th. Merck & Co., Inc.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.70%.

Key Merck & Co., Inc. News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Announced a multi‑year partnership with Google Cloud valued at up to $1 billion to deploy agentic AI across R&D, manufacturing and commercial functions — a potential productivity and R&D acceleration catalyst that could improve long‑term margins and pipeline efficiency. Merck to partner with Google Cloud on AI initiatives
• Positive Sentiment: FDA approved Merck’s once‑daily IDVYNSO (doravirine/islatravir) for HIV-1 — a new oral two‑drug regimen that expands Merck’s infectious‑disease franchise and provides near‑term commercial upside. FDA Approves Merck’s Once-Daily IDVYNSO
• Positive Sentiment: Won EU approval for ENFLONSIA to protect infants from RSV — another regulatory win that supports near‑term revenue diversification in vaccines. Merck Wins EU Approval for ENFLONSIA
• Neutral Sentiment: Reported interest in Inhibrx’s Keytruda‑linked experimental cancer drug from multiple buyers including Merck — potential M&A optionality but uncertain timing/value. Exclusive: Merck, rivals eye deal for Inhibrx experimental cancer drug
• Neutral Sentiment: Market report flags increasing competition in polycythemia vera with several entrants (including Merck’s bomedemstat) in development — underscores both addressable market growth and increasing competitive risk over the next decade. Polycythemia Vera Market Set for Transformation
• Negative Sentiment: Merck and Eisai said the Phase 3 LITESPARK‑012 combination in first‑line advanced renal cell carcinoma failed to meet primary endpoints — a notable clinical setback that reduced near‑term oncology upside and pushed shares lower in recent sessions. Merck‑Eisai’s combination cancer therapy fails meet main goals
• Negative Sentiment: Market coverage highlights the stock decline after the kidney‑cancer trial miss, reflecting investor concern over Keytruda‑combination setbacks even as Keytruda remains a major revenue driver. MRK Down as Triplet Therapy Fails to Meet Goal

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on MRK shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, December 29th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, March 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $116.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Barclays started coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Friday, February 20th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $128.47.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Caroline Litchfield sold 41,997 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.61, for a total value of $5,023,261.17. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 90,192 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,787,865.12. The trade was a 31.77% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 37,685 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.92, for a total transaction of $4,556,870.20. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 160,174 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $19,368,240.08. This represents a 19.05% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 320,176 shares of company stock worth $38,281,735. Company insiders own 0.13% of the company’s stock.

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.