United Asset Strategies Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Free Report) by 3.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 210,435 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,760 shares during the period. Merck & Co., Inc. makes up about 2.0% of United Asset Strategies Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest holding. United Asset Strategies Inc.’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $25,313,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MRK. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter valued at $3,997,933,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 14.8% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 86,435,458 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,098,196,000 after purchasing an additional 11,156,354 shares during the last quarter. DLD Asset Management LP grew its position 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 purchasing an additional 11,000,000 shares during the period. Cardano Risk Management B.V. purchased a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter valued at $1,012,530,000. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC purchased a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter valued at $585,192,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.07% of the company’s stock.
Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance
Shares of MRK stock traded up $2.72 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $129.50. 2,261,287 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,086,780. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $319.85 billion, a PE ratio of 36.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.19. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12 month low of $76.66 and a 12 month high of $130.29. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $117.37 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $115.47.
Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 8th. Investors of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Merck & Co., Inc.’s payout ratio is 95.77%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of research firms have recently issued reports on MRK. Zacks Research upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. CICC Research began coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $138.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut Merck & Co., Inc. from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday. Scotiabank boosted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $136.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Friday, May 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $131.83.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MRK
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.
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