Trivium Point Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Free Report) by 34.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,671 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,570 shares during the period. Trivium Point Advisory LLC’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $2,271,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cascade Financial Partners LLC lifted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.5% during the second quarter. Cascade Financial Partners LLC now owns 14,746 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,895,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Somerset Trust Co increased its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% in the second 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 holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% in the second 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 in the last quarter. Stronghold Wealth Management L.L.C. lifted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Stronghold Wealth Management L.L.C. now owns 3,237 shares of the company’s stock valued at $416,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lederer & Associates Investment Counsel CA lifted 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 valued at $1,234,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company’s stock.
Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance
MRK opened at $150.67 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $371.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 120.54, a PEG ratio of 6.40 and a beta of 0.19. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $128.81 and a 200-day moving average of $121.53. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12-month low of $77.58 and a 12-month high of $154.49.
Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.’s payout ratio is 272.00%.
Insider Buying and Selling
In other news, EVP Chirfi Guindo sold 15,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.00, for a total value of $1,965,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 46,613 shares in the company, valued at $6,106,303. This represents a 24.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP David R. Maraldo sold 18,706 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.72, for a total transaction of $2,407,836.32. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 18,212 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,344,248.64. This represents a 50.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 228,238 shares of company stock worth $29,977,783 over the last ninety days. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MRK shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $120.00 target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Monday, July 6th. CICC Research started coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $138.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday. Argus upped their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $143.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 12th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $144.10.
Read 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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