Capital International Investors Cuts Stake in Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Capital International Investors cut its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 16.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,393,368 shares of the company’s stock after selling 671,607 shares during the period. Capital International Investors owned 0.14% of Merck & Co., Inc. worth $284,793,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MRK. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 29.5% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 38,278 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,808,000 after acquiring an additional 8,710 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 52.2% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 11,494 shares of the company’s stock valued at $910,000 after acquiring an additional 3,941 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT now owns 5,591 shares of the company’s stock valued at $443,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 6.4% in the 2nd quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 611,733 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,425,000 after purchasing an additional 37,005 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 15.0% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 119,871 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,489,000 after purchasing an additional 15,679 shares in the last quarter. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

NYSE MRK opened at $117.14 on Wednesday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $114.64 and its 200-day moving average price is $99.14. Merck & Co., Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $73.31 and a fifty-two week high of $125.14. The company has a market cap of $289.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.54.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $2.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.01 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $16.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.19 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 44.57% and a net margin of 28.08%.Merck & Co., Inc.’s revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.72 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.000-5.150 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 16th. Merck & Co., Inc.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.70%.

Key Headlines Impacting Merck & Co., Inc.

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

• Positive Sentiment: Late‑stage trial wins for oncology and HIV programs (KEYTRUDA, WELIREG regimens and DOR/ISL HIV therapy) that show improved survival and broadened indications—these readouts raise near‑term revenue potential and long‑term pipeline value. Merck Trial Wins Shape Oncology And HIV Prospects For Investors
• Positive Sentiment: Stock moving higher within the S&P 500 — market‑level strength and rotation into large pharma/defensive names is supporting MRK’s price action. Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK) Moves Higher Within S&P 500 Index Amid Gains
• Positive Sentiment: Expanding neuroendocrine carcinoma market and other oncology indications — market forecasts to 2036 increase the addressable opportunity for Merck’s targeted therapies, supporting longer‑term growth assumptions for KEYTRUDA and companion assets. Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Market Poised for Significant Growth During the Forecast Period (2026-2036) Driven by Rising Incidence and Advancements in Targeted Therapies | DelveInsight
• Neutral Sentiment: Vaccine franchise market reports (Ervebo, M‑M‑R II, Pneumovax 23, Elonva) highlight steady long‑term demand and niche growth opportunities—positive background but unlikely to move near‑term results absent new approvals or major contract wins. Ervebo (Merck & Co) Market Research Report 2026: Epidemiology, Pipeline Analysis, Trends, Strategies, & Forecasts, 2020-2025, 2025-2030F, 2035F
• Negative Sentiment: Persistent weakness in Gardasil sales (down ~39% in 2025 with weak China demand) — management expects no near‑term rebound, which pressures top‑line growth and investor expectations for vaccine contribution to revenue. Will Weak Gardasil Sales Continue to Weigh on MRK’s Top Line in 2026?
• Negative Sentiment: RBC caution on Winrevair — analyst says the COPD candidate must show a ≥20‑meter improvement in 6‑minute walk to restore confidence; this raises clinical/regulatory uncertainty that could limit upside for that program. Merck’s Winrevair Must Show Walk Distance Improvement to Build Confidence, RBC Says

Insider Transactions at Merck & Co., Inc.

In related news, CMO Chirfi Guindo sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.41, for a total value of $1,184,100.00. Following the sale, the chief marketing officer directly owned 70,615 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,361,522.15. This represents a 12.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP David Michael Williams sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.91, for a total transaction of $609,550.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 30,838 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,759,460.58. The trade was a 13.95% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 320,176 shares of company stock worth $38,281,735. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on MRK shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $92.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Barclays began coverage on Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Friday, February 20th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup increased their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. UBS Group raised their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. 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 research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $125.88.

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.