Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC Acquires 43,047 Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 34.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 167,959 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 43,047 shares during the quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $14,220,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Darwin Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 237.4% during the 3rd quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC now owns 307 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. Kilter Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Bare Financial Services Inc grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 51.9% during the second quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 366 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 302.3% during the 3rd quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 354 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the period. Finally, Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.07% of the company’s stock.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MRK opened at $115.87 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $287.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.31, a P/E/G 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 1-year low of $73.31 and a 1-year high of $118.46. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $105.66 and its 200 day moving average is $92.48.

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 business 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 quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.72 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.000-5.150 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 7th. Investors of record on Monday, March 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 16th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. Merck & Co., Inc.’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.91%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on MRK. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Wolfe Research upgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a “peer perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $135.00 target price for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Scotiabank upped their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on 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, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, December 29th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $114.53.

Key Stories 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.