Richard Deluca Sells 6,050 Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) Stock

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) EVP Richard Deluca sold 6,050 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.38, for a total transaction of $788,799.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 155,487 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $20,272,395.06. This represents a 3.75% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE MRK opened at $130.35 on Wednesday. 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 firm has a market cap of $321.59 billion, a PE ratio of 104.28, a P/E/G ratio of 5.66 and a beta of 0.19. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $124.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $119.47. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 12-month low of $77.58 and a 12-month high of $135.05.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.26) by $0.13. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 4.77% and a return on equity of 16.05%. The firm had revenue of $16.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.37 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.13 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.660-2.760 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 7th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given 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 payout ratio is presently 272.00%.

Merck & Co., Inc. News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: The FDA and European Medicines Agency accepted supplemental applications to expand ENFLONSIA, Merck’s RSV preventive therapy, to additional high-risk young children. The potential broader indication could expand Merck’s infectious-disease portfolio and help diversify revenue beyond oncology. Merck Wins FDA and EMA Review for Broader RSV Use in Children
• Positive Sentiment: Argus raised its price target on MRK from $130 to $145 and reiterated a “buy” rating, adding to a generally favorable analyst view. Recent targets from other firms have also reached the $146–$150 range, reflecting confidence in Keytruda, animal health and the development pipeline.
• Positive Sentiment: Merck’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, with revenue of $16.61 billion versus a $16.37 billion consensus estimate and revenue growth of 5.1% year over year. Oncology and animal health were key contributors, while the company maintained 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $2.66–$2.76. Merck Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Merck declared a quarterly dividend of $0.85, equivalent to $3.40 annually and a yield of roughly 2.6%. The dividend supports the stock’s income appeal, although the reported payout ratio is elevated because current earnings are depressed by unusual factors.
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports discussing a proposal to separate the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three shots could create uncertainty around Merck’s vaccine business, including MMR II. Experts say the plan lacks scientific support and is unlikely to proceed. Trump Wants to Split the MMR Vaccine
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts continue to flag falling estimates and the risk from upcoming Keytruda patent expirations, which could pressure Merck’s near-term growth and valuation despite strong current sales and pipeline progress. MRK Stock Up 5.6% in a Month as Estimates Fall
• Negative Sentiment: Executive Vice President Richard Deluca sold 6,050 shares worth approximately $788,799. The sale reduced his holdings by 3.75%, though he continues to own a substantial position and the transaction alone is not necessarily a signal of deteriorating fundamentals. Merck EVP Sells Stock

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MRK has been the subject of several recent research reports. CICC Research initiated coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Wednesday, June 24th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $138.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $136.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $145.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $135.11.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Merck & Co., Inc.

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 254,322,763 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,770,014,000 after purchasing an additional 2,185,853 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.5% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 226,999,837 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,169,479,000 after purchasing an additional 1,073,507 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 120,040,168 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,737,504,000 after purchasing an additional 1,859,990 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 14.8% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 86,435,458 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,098,196,000 after purchasing an additional 11,156,354 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 60,047,984 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,307,572,000 after buying an additional 249,110 shares during the last quarter. 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.