Merck KGaA (OTCMKTS:MKGAF) Shares Up 5.2% – Time to Buy?

Merck KGaA (OTCMKTS:MKGAF) shot up 5.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $158.1360 and last traded at $157.7760. Approximately 93 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 604 shares. The stock had previously closed at $149.9670.

Merck KGaA Stock Up 0.6%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $161.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $149.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.49 billion, a PE ratio of 23.03 and a beta of 0.96.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbH bought a new stake in shares of Merck KGaA during the second quarter valued at approximately $4,896,000. Puzo Michael J purchased a new stake in Merck KGaA in the second quarter worth $2,230,000. Somerville Kurt F bought a new position in Merck KGaA in the second quarter worth $1,997,000. Pinnacle Holdings LLC bought a new position in Merck KGaA in the second quarter worth $1,487,000. Finally, North Star Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Merck KGaA during the second quarter valued at $1,411,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

About Merck KGaA

Merck KGaA is a Germany-based science and technology company headquartered in Darmstadt. Founded in 1668, it is one of the world’s oldest operating pharmaceutical and chemical companies. The business serves customers in more than 60 countries through three operating sectors: Healthcare, Life Science and Electronics.

The Healthcare sector develops and markets prescription medicines and specialty therapies, with activities focused on areas including oncology, neurology and immunology, fertility, and endocrinology.