NYSE:MRK
Merck & Company (MRK)
143.06
-0.76 (0.52%)
as of Oct 2, 2026, 3:11:13 pm Market Open.
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Financials 
Technical Analysis 0
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Premium contentTOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly MRK is one of the largest pharma companies in the world. It trades at a 13 PE compared to 22 PE for the S&P500. The pandemic has slowed some elective procedures, and that has slowed sales in the latest quarter by about 9%. However, management still opted to raise its 2020 guidance showing confidence that things should improve for the balance of the year. The company also has three drugs moving through various COVID-19 vaccine test trials. It pays a good yield, backed by a 58% payout ratio. We would buy this with an upper target towards $96 as the first objective and use $77 as a stop-loss. Yield 2.95% (Analysts’ price target is $95.94)
biotechnologypharmaceutical
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sep 11/19, Up 6%) In his favourite sectors of bio and pharma. Strong in oncology. Diversified pipeline. Trading at a bit of a discount, 15x forward earnings, 2.9% dividend. Compelling story for the dividend and growth in the sector.
Stan WongOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
HOLD
You'd need to have a Democratic sweep in the upcoming election to have an effect on Wall St. Has a 3.2% yield. Great pipeline of drugs. 8% growth rate. Lagged healthcare the last little while, as most money has gone to Covid treatments. Continues to hold.
Stan WongOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
DON'T BUY
An Act in the US back in the early 1980's introduced the end of patents with drugs. Patent expiration opened the door for generics. MRK has become the most successful pharma company and has a big patent coming due soon. He would tend to move towards the bio-pharma space instead.
Gordon ReidOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
TOP PICK
A Top 100 S&P company, trading in US dollars. His model price is $133.28. A good pullback in price -- good value here. He sees supply chains coming back in health back to US companies. Yield 3.2% (Analysts’ price target is $93.68)
Brian Acker, CAOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
TOP PICK
He doesn't recommend pharma but they are so cheap that he has to. He has a model price of $122.73 or 55% upside. It is a screaming opportunity. (Analysts’ price target is $97.61)
Brian Acker, CAOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
TOP PICK
Great business. Wide lineup of high margin drugs, robust new pipeline. 23 consecutive quarters of positive earnings surprises. Defensive growth name. 16x earnings, 10-12% growth rate. Yield is 2.82%. (Analysts’ price target is $99.40)
Stan WongOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Dec 03/18, Up 19%) This company's been on their top picks list since 2016. He spoke to the head of Research when they were brining forward immunotherapy drug Keytruda. The trials are going well over multiple trials. They are also #3 in the animal business too.
Paul MacDonaldOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
TOP PICK
His model price is $126 -- 41% potential upside. Demographics favour it. He can't understand why this sector is still so cheap. Yield 2.72% (Analysts’ price target is $99.24)
Brian Acker, CAOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
TOP PICK
Has done quite well relative to other healthcare names. Wide line of high marketing drugs, and a good pipeline of new drugs. One of the better names. 22 consecutive quarters of positive earnings. Decent PEG ratio. Yield is 2.66%. (Analysts’ price target is $96.29)
Stan WongOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
TOP PICK
Products marketed to over 140 countries. Main drugs in diabetes and oncology. Robust pipeline of new drugs, which will drive revenues over the long term. Not too expensive, with an 11-12% growth rate. Yield is 2.65%. (Analysts’ price target is $96.69)
Stan WongOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
BUY
Pfizer vs. Merck He owns both, which both score well in price momentum, high ROE, great balance sheet, pay a sustianble yield and are stable stocks. Merck has slightly better valuation metrics, but both stocks are very similar.
Jason MannOwned
biotechnologypharmaceutical
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