Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc. Sells 4,428 Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc. reduced its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 19.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,181 shares of the company’s stock after selling 4,428 shares during the period. Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc.’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $1,526,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MRK. Darwin Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 237.4% during the third quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC now owns 307 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Kilter Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 266 shares during the period. Bare Financial Services Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 51.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 366 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. Finally, Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on MRK. Zacks Research lowered Merck & Co., Inc. from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, December 29th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $114.53.

Merck & Co., Inc. News Roundup

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. Stock Up 2.2%

NYSE:MRK opened at $115.87 on Wednesday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a twelve month low of $73.31 and a twelve month high of $118.46. The company has a market cap of $287.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.28. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $105.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.48. 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 posted its quarterly 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. The firm had revenue of $16.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.19 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 29.63% and a return on equity of 44.54%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.72 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.000-5.150 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 EPS for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 16th. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. Merck & Co., Inc.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.91%.

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.