Worth Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Free Report) by 97.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,837 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,340 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $1,304,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter valued at $3,997,933,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 14.8% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 86,435,458 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,098,196,000 after acquiring an additional 11,156,354 shares during the last quarter. DLD Asset Management LP increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 30.1% in the 3rd quarter. DLD Asset Management LP now owns 47,500,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,986,675,000 after acquiring an additional 11,000,000 shares during the last quarter. Cardano Risk Management B.V. bought a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,012,530,000. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC bought a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at about $585,192,000. 76.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Key Headlines Impacting Merck & Co., Inc.
Here are the key news stories impacting Merck & Co., Inc. this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Merck said tulisokibart met its primary and key secondary endpoints in the Phase 3 ATLAS-UC induction study for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, strengthening confidence in a potentially important new immunology asset. Merck’s Anti-TL1A Antibody Meets Goal in Ulcerative Colitis Study
- Positive Sentiment: The tulisokibart result adds to Merck’s recent pipeline momentum and gives investors another potential growth driver as the company looks to diversify sales away from Keytruda over time. Merck’s bowel disease drug meets main goal in late-stage trial
- Positive Sentiment: Merck also recently won FDA expansion approvals for KEYTRUDA/KEYTRUDA QLEX with WELIREG in kidney cancer and for CAPVAXIVE in higher-risk children and adolescents, reinforcing near-term commercial strength across multiple franchises. Merck (MRK) Wins FDA Expansions, Posts HIV Data, And Ends Lung Cancer Trial
Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported ($1.28) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($1.47) by $0.19. The business had revenue of $16.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.85 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 27.55% and a net margin of 13.59%.The firm’s revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.22 EPS. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.040-5.160 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 5.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be given a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 95.77%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, April 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, April 6th. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $125.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $142.00 price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, March 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $128.18.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on Merck & Co., Inc.
Merck & Co., Inc. 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.
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