Worth Asset Management LLC Sells 6,712 Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Worth Asset Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 61.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,125 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,712 shares during the quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $530,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Up 0.2%

Merck & Co., Inc. stock opened at $128.61 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $123.98 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $119.11. 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 stock has a market cap of $317.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 102.89, a P/E/G ratio of 5.53 and a beta of 0.19. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $77.58 and a twelve month high of $135.05.

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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.37 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 16.05% and a net margin of 4.77%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.13 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.77 EPS for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. CICC Research began coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $138.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America raised their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, April 13th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $135.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $134.56.

Insider Buying and Selling at Merck & Co., Inc.

In other news, EVP Chirfi Guindo sold 15,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.00, for a total value of $1,965,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, 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 this link. Also, EVP David R. Maraldo sold 18,706 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 18,212 shares in the company, valued at $2,344,248.64. This trade represents a 50.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 86,553 shares of company stock valued at $11,177,945 in the last ninety days. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Key Headlines 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.