Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK Shares Acquired by First Interstate Bank

First Interstate Bank increased its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 62.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,882 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 6,900 shares during the period. First Interstate Bank’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $1,501,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. DLD Asset Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the second quarter valued at $2,889,340,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Merck & Co., Inc. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,858,570,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. by 23.5% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 27,032,601 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,139,901,000 after purchasing an additional 5,135,748 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 35.5% in the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 19,456,096 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,540,145,000 after purchasing an additional 5,094,088 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 9.4% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 53,865,466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,263,991,000 after purchasing an additional 4,636,183 shares during the period. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

More Merck & Co., Inc. News

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

• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target on MRK to $120 (from $100) while keeping a “hold” rating, implying roughly mid?teens upside vs. recent levels — a near?term analyst tailwind for the stock. Benzinga
• Positive Sentiment: Moderna and Merck reported five?year Phase 2b data showing their individualized mRNA cancer vaccine (intismeran autogene) plus KEYTRUDA reduced recurrence or death by ~49% in high?risk melanoma — a major clinical win that strengthens Merck’s oncology franchise and future revenue/pipeline upside. Moderna, Merck skin cancer vaccine shows sustained benefit
• Positive Sentiment: Market commentary and buy-side interest highlighting Merck’s strategic M&A and pipeline expansion (including recent analyst upgrades and positive articles listing MRK among top oncology/dividend picks) support a bullish narrative around durable cash flow plus growth. Merck poised for breakout
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo reaffirmed its buy rating on MRK, which reinforces existing bullish views but does not change immediate expectations. Wells Fargo reaffirms buy
• Neutral Sentiment: General investor pieces positioning MRK as a “forever stock” or dividend play highlight defensive qualities and long?term appeal, which can support multiple expansion but are less likely to drive near?term moves. MarketBeat forever stocks
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks highlights continued weakness in Gardasil sales—notably in China and Japan—which could pressure Merck’s Q4 revenues and temper upside from pipeline headlines. Will weak Gardasil sales continue?
• Negative Sentiment: Insider/insider-like selling reports (e.g., a disclosure of a Rep. Julie Johnson sale) can add short?term noise and negative sentiment, though such sales are often routine and historically have limited lasting impact. Rep. Julie Johnson sells MRK shares

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $92.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. UBS Group boosted their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $105.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wall Street Zen cut Merck & Co., Inc. from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $82.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a “peer perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $135.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $114.20.

Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance

NYSE:MRK opened at $109.58 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $102.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $90.54. The firm has a market cap of $271.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.48, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.29. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 52-week low of $73.31 and a 52-week high of $112.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.08 by ($0.14). Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 29.63% and a return on equity of 44.54%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This is a positive change from Merck & Co., Inc.’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. Merck & Co., Inc.’s payout ratio is 44.91%.

Insider Transactions at Merck & Co., Inc.

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP David Michael Williams sold 8,614 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.59, for a total value of $720,044.26. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 24,578 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,054,475.02. The trade was a 25.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.09% 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.