Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Get Free Report) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of 2.660-2.760 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 3.420. The company issued revenue guidance of $66.3 billion-$67.3 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $66.7 billion.
Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance
NYSE:MRK traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $128.34. 2,060,778 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 10,760,771. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $77.58 and a twelve month high of $135.05. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $123.61 and a 200 day moving average of $118.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $316.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 102.67, a P/E/G ratio of 5.13 and a beta of 0.19.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.13. The business had revenue of $16.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.37 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 4.77% and a return on equity of 16.05%. The firm’s revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.13 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.72 EPS for the current year.
Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of analysts have recently weighed in on MRK shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $136.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $120.00 price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $134.56.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on MRK
Trending Headlines about Merck & Co., Inc.
Here are the key news stories impacting Merck & Co., Inc. this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results and guidance improved. Merck beat second-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, with sales rising 5.1% year over year. Management raised and narrowed its 2026 sales outlook to $66.3 billion-$67.3 billion, citing continued oncology strength, newer product launches and pipeline progress. MRK Q2 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates, ’26 Sales View Raised
- Positive Sentiment: Keytruda received an additional approval in Canada. Health Canada approved Keytruda with enfortumab vedotin for certain cisplatin-ineligible adults with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, expanding the drug’s commercial reach and supporting near-term oncology growth. Health Canada Approves Keytruda Treatment
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains favorable. Guggenheim raised its Merck price target to $146 from $145 and reaffirmed a Buy rating. Broader broker coverage also characterizes MRK as a potentially attractive investment, which can help support the stock’s valuation. Guggenheim Raises Merck Price Target
- Neutral Sentiment: Merck is accelerating diversification beyond Keytruda. Acquisitions and partnerships are expanding its presence in hematology, infectious diseases, vaccines, cardiopulmonary medicine and obesity. The strategy improves long-term positioning but also carries integration and development risks. Merck Is Racing Beyond Keytruda
- Negative Sentiment: The 2028 Keytruda patent cliff remains the main overhang. Keytruda generated $8.37 billion in second-quarter sales, but investors remain concerned about how quickly Merck can replace this revenue after exclusivity expires. Acquisition-related charges also produced a reported quarterly loss, although they were not indicative of weaker underlying demand.
- Negative Sentiment: Pipeline execution is not uniformly positive. Merck discontinued tulisokibart development in systemic-sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, highlighting clinical risk even as the drug continues to be evaluated in other indications. MSD Posts a Victory and Defeat for Anti-TL1A
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Merck & Co., Inc.
A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of MRK. Prosperity Bancshares Inc bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC bought a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Gilpin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Wealth Watch Advisors INC acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company’s stock.
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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