Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) Hits New 52-Week High – Time to Buy?

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $123.41 and last traded at $123.3890, with a volume of 2132360 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $122.26.

More Merck & Co., Inc. News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Company will form a standalone cancer-focused unit (housing Keytruda and other oncology assets) to sharpen launches and commercial focus ahead of the Keytruda exclusivity loss — a proactive structural step investors view as preserving oncology franchise value. Merck to create separate cancer business to offset Keytruda patent loss, WSJ reports
• Positive Sentiment: Positive Phase 3 SMART data for ENFLONSIA (RSV) showing protection in high‑risk infants through a second season — plus FDA approvals for new KEYTRUDA formulations/indications (including first subcutaneous option) — expand near‑term and medium‑term revenue opportunities beyond Keytruda’s core label. Merck RSV And KEYTRUDA Updates Refocus Attention On Valuation And Growth
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck issued an official release confirming it is evolving the Human Health operating structure to support portfolio execution — the corporate announcement formalizes the reorganization reported by the press. Merck Evolves Human Health Operating Structure to Support Portfolio Execution
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent analyst activity is supportive but not dramatic — Merck has an average analyst recommendation around “moderate buy” and some firms have initiated coverage, supplying a mild tailwind to sentiment. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts
• Negative Sentiment: Keytruda’s patent expirations (patent protection fading into 2028) remain the main structural risk — loss of exclusivity will expose blockbuster pembrolizumab revenues to biosimilar/copycat competition over the next few years. Merck to create separate cancer business as Keytruda patent loss looms

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on MRK shares. Barclays started coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Friday. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $92.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Merck & Co., Inc. from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $124.80.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

The stock’s 50 day moving average is $110.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $96.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $306.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 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. (NYSE:MRK) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $2.04 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.01 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $16.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.19 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 45.22% and a net margin of 28.08%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.72 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.000-5.150 EPS. Analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be issued a $0.85 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 16th. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. Merck & Co., Inc.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.70%.

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

In related news, EVP Jennifer Zachary sold 121,573 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.15, for a total value of $14,485,422.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 68,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,211,341.40. This trade represents a 63.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 37,685 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.92, for a total value of $4,556,870.20. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 160,174 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,368,240.08. This represents a 19.05% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 320,176 shares of company stock valued at $38,281,735 in the last three months. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Merck & Co., Inc.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Kingdom Financial Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 237.4% in the 3rd quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC now owns 307 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. Abound Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Prosperity Bancshares Inc bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Institutional investors own 76.07% 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.