Hantz Financial Services Inc. Sells 5,970 Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Hantz Financial Services Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 121,880 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,970 shares during the quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc.’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $10,229,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of MRK. Darwin Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 237.4% in the third quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC now owns 307 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Kilter Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Bare Financial Services Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 51.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 366 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 302.3% in the 3rd quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 354 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the second quarter worth $31,000. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Up 2.2%

Shares of NYSE:MRK opened at $115.87 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $105.66 and a 200 day moving average of $92.48. The company has a market cap of $287.58 billion, a PE ratio of 15.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12-month low of $73.31 and a 12-month high of $118.46.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $2.04 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.01 by $0.03. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 29.63% and a return on equity of 44.54%. The company had revenue of $16.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.72 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.000-5.150 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 EPS for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be given a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 16th. Merck & Co., Inc.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.91%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on MRK shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised Merck & Co., Inc. from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their target price for the company from $90.00 to $125.00 in a report on Monday, November 24th. Scotiabank upped their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $114.53.

Key Headlines Impacting Merck & Co., Inc.

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat — Merck reported Q4 EPS and revenue that topped estimates, driven largely by strong sales of Keytruda and recent product momentum; this supports near-term growth credibility. Merck (MRK) Q4 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Management commentary/earnings call — the earnings call transcript provides detail on pipeline progress and where management expects margin and revenue pressure to land in 2026; useful for gauging whether disappointing guidance is temporary or structural. Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Index/fund positioning — analysis of Merck’s role in S&P 500 funds and broader pharma exposure may influence flows but is less likely to move the stock materially than earnings/guidance. Does Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK) Maintain Pharma Reach In S&P 500 Fund
• Negative Sentiment: Weak 2026 guidance — Merck guided 2026 revenue to $65.5–$67.0B and adjusted EPS to $5.00–$5.15, both below analyst expectations; management flagged revenue pressure from impending patent expirations (e.g., Januvia) and generic competition. That guidance cut is the primary reason the stock initially sold off. Merck forecasts 2026 sales below estimates on patent losses
• Negative Sentiment: Slower earnings growth expected as Merck increases acquisition and investment spending — coverage highlights that deal activity and near-term margin impacts may slow EPS growth even as the company pursues pipeline and strategic additions. Merck Expects Slower Earnings Growth As It Spends on Acquisitions
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction and commentary — multiple outlets note the stock dipped after the cautious outlook despite solid Q4 results; analysts and commentators are parsing how much patent losses and 2026 investments will offset Keytruda strength. Merck shares fall as 2026 guidance disappoints despite solid Q4 results

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.