Worth Asset Management LLC Has $530,000 Position in Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Worth Asset Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 61.9% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 4,125 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,712 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $530,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MRK. Kingdom Financial Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Abound Financial LLC acquired a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Prosperity Bancshares Inc acquired a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. High Note Wealth LLC lifted its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 58.9% during the fourth quarter. High Note Wealth LLC now owns 294 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the period. Finally, IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. 76.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of MRK opened at $128.61 on Friday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52 week low of $77.58 and a 52 week high of $135.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $317.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 102.89, a PEG ratio of 5.53 and a beta of 0.19. 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 stock has a fifty day moving average of $123.98 and a 200-day moving average of $119.11.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $16.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.37 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.13 EPS. Merck & Co., Inc.’s quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.’s payout ratio is 272.00%.

Insider Transactions at Merck & Co., Inc.

In related news, EVP David R. Maraldo sold 18,706 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.72, for a total transaction of $2,407,836.32. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,212 shares in the company, valued at $2,344,248.64. This trade represents a 50.67% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP David Michael Williams sold 52,847 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.77, for a total transaction of $6,805,108.19. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 31,716 shares in the company, valued at $4,084,069.32. The trade was a 62.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 86,553 shares of company stock worth $11,177,945. Insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on MRK. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $142.00 target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Scotiabank upped their price target 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. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. Guggenheim lifted their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $145.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, CICC Research assumed coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $138.00 price objective on the stock. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $134.56.

Key Stories Impacting Merck & Co., Inc.

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

• Positive Sentiment: Recent approvals and label-expansion efforts for KEYTRUDA and ENFLONSIA, together with Merck’s raised 2026 revenue outlook, are reinforcing the investment case. One analysis estimates the shares may still be modestly undervalued after a strong recent run. Merck Could Be Undervalued on Raised Outlook and Approvals
• Positive Sentiment: Positive cancer-drug trial readouts and broader strength across biotechnology and pharmaceutical stocks could support investor interest in Merck’s oncology portfolio and pipeline. These New Drugs Could Fuel Fresh Highs for Biotech and Pharma Stocks
• Neutral Sentiment: An industry report identifies continued opportunities in endometrial cancer, including frontline immunotherapy combinations, companion diagnostics and precision therapies. The report highlights Merck as a participant but does not announce a new company-specific deal or result. Endometrial Cancer Market Share Analysis and Industry Trends
• Negative Sentiment: Three Merck executive vice presidents reported selling a combined 86,553 shares for approximately $11.2 million. The transactions reduced their individual holdings by roughly 24% to 62%, which may weigh on sentiment, although insider sales do not necessarily indicate a change in company fundamentals. Chirfi Guindo SEC Form 4 David Michael Williams SEC Form 4 David R. Maraldo SEC Form 4
• Negative Sentiment: Merck is working to diversify beyond KEYTRUDA ahead of its expected 2028 patent expiration. The need for acquisitions, partnerships and new growth platforms underscores the long-term revenue risk associated with the company’s largest product. Merck Is Racing Beyond KEYTRUDA

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.