Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Shares Bought by Tema ETFs LLC

Posted by Francis Steltz on Aug 12th, 2026

Tema ETFs LLC lifted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Free Report) by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 122,900 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 7,019 shares during the quarter. Tema ETFs LLC’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $15,793,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Somerset Trust Co grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Somerset Trust Co now owns 8,701 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,118,000 after buying an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC increased its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC now owns 8,747 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,124,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CA raised its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CA now owns 9,603 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,234,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc lifted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc now owns 14,273 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,834,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the period. Finally, Chesapeake Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Chesapeake Wealth Management now owns 14,740 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,552,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the period. 76.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting Merck & Co., Inc.

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

Positive Sentiment: The FDA and European Medicines Agency accepted supplemental applications to expand ENFLONSIA, Merck’s RSV preventive therapy, to additional high-risk young children. The potential broader indication could expand Merck’s infectious-disease portfolio and help diversify revenue beyond oncology. Merck Wins FDA and EMA Review for Broader RSV Use in Children
Positive Sentiment: Argus raised its price target on MRK from $130 to $145 and reiterated a “buy” rating, adding to a generally favorable analyst view. Recent targets from other firms have also reached the $146–$150 range, reflecting confidence in Keytruda, animal health and the development pipeline.
Positive Sentiment: Merck’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with revenue of $16.61 billion versus a $16.37 billion consensus estimate and revenue growth of 5.1% year over year. Oncology and animal health were key contributors, while the company maintained 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $2.66–$2.76. Merck Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Neutral Sentiment: Merck declared a quarterly dividend of $0.85, equivalent to $3.40 annually and a yield of roughly 2.6%. The dividend supports the stock’s income appeal, although the reported payout ratio is elevated because current earnings are depressed by unusual factors.
Neutral Sentiment: Reports discussing a proposal to separate the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three shots could create uncertainty around Merck’s vaccine business, including MMR II. Experts say the plan lacks scientific support and is unlikely to proceed. Trump Wants to Split the MMR Vaccine
Negative Sentiment: Analysts continue to flag falling estimates and the risk from upcoming Keytruda patent expirations, which could pressure Merck’s near-term growth and valuation despite strong current sales and pipeline progress. MRK Stock Up 5.6% in a Month as Estimates Fall
Negative Sentiment: Executive Vice President Richard Deluca sold 6,050 shares worth approximately $788,799. The sale reduced his holdings by 3.75%, though he continues to own a substantial position and the transaction alone is not necessarily a signal of deteriorating fundamentals. Merck EVP Sells Stock

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 6,050 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.38, for a total transaction of $788,799.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 155,487 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $20,272,395.06. This represents a 3.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Chirfi Guindo sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.00, for a total value of $1,965,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 46,613 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,106,303. This trade represents a 24.35% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders sold 92,603 shares of company stock valued at $11,966,744. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:MRK opened at $130.35 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $321.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 104.28, a PEG ratio of 5.66 and a beta of 0.19. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1-year low of $77.58 and a 1-year high of $135.05. 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 company has a 50 day moving average price of $124.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $119.47.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.13. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 16.05% and a net margin of 4.77%.The company had revenue of $16.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.37 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.13 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 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 272.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. CICC Research assumed coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $138.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $135.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $135.11.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc. Profile

(Free Report)

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.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Free Report).

Institutional Ownership by Quarter for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)

Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.