Merck KGaA (OTCMKTS:MKGAF) Shares Gap Up – Still a Buy?

Merck KGaA (OTCMKTS:MKGAF) shares gapped up before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $149.9670, but opened at $158.3510. Merck KGaA shares last traded at $158.3510, with a volume of 10 shares trading hands.

Merck KGaA Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $19.08 billion, a PE ratio of 22.54 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $160.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $149.90.

Institutional Trading of Merck KGaA

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKGAF. MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbH bought a new position in shares of Merck KGaA during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $4,896,000. Puzo Michael J purchased a new stake in Merck KGaA during the second quarter valued at $2,230,000. Somerville Kurt F bought a new position in Merck KGaA during the second quarter valued at $1,997,000. Pinnacle Holdings LLC bought a new position in Merck KGaA during the second quarter valued at $1,487,000. Finally, North Star Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Merck KGaA in the 2nd quarter worth $1,411,000. Institutional investors own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Merck KGaA Company Profile

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.