Tema ETFs LLC Boosts Stock Position in Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

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

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Kingdom Financial Group LLC. acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Abound Financial LLC bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Prosperity Bancshares Inc acquired a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. High Note Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 58.9% during the 4th quarter. High Note Wealth LLC now owns 294 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the company’s stock.

More Merck & Co., Inc. News

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MRK has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Friday, May 15th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. 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. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $136.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $120.00 price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $135.11.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MRK opened at $130.35 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $124.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $119.47. 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 $321.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 104.28, a P/E/G ratio of 5.66 and a beta of 0.19.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.13. The company had revenue of $16.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.37 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 16.05% and a net margin of 4.77%.The business’s revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.13 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Chirfi Guindo sold 15,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.00, for a total transaction 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 approximately $6,106,303. The trade was a 24.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 6,050 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 in the company, valued at approximately $20,272,395.06. This trade represents a 3.75% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 92,603 shares of company stock valued at $11,966,744 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile

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.