Últimas noticias sobre Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) Bolsa

Merck & Co

Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent pediatric diseases as well as human papillomavirus, or HPV. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the company's sales are generated in the United States.

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Truist Securities analyst Robyn Karnauskas maintains Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $132 to $130.

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Truist Securities Maintains Buy on Merck & Co, Lowers Price Target to $130

Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) will release earnings results for its third quarter, before the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MRNA/earnings">opening bell on Thursday, Nov. 7.</a>
Analysts expect the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company to report a quarterly loss at $1.9 per share, versus a year-ago loss of $9.53 per share. Moderna projects to report revenue of $1.25 billion for the quarter, compared to $1.83 billion a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On Oct. 28, On Monday, Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) and Moderna announced the initiation of INTerpath-009, a pivotal Phase 3 trial of V940 (mRNA-4157).
Moderna shares fell 2.8% to close at $51.81 on Wednesday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TJX/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul>
<li>JP Morgan analyst Jessica Fye maintained an Underweight rating and cut the price target from $70 to $59 on Oct. 4. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 61%.</li>
<li>Jefferies analyst Michael Yee maintained a Hold rating and slashed the price target from $65 to $55 on Oct. 15. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 63%.</li>
<li>B of A Securities analyst Geoff Meacham maintained a Neutral rating and cut the price target from $130 to $110 on Sept. 13. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 60%.</li>
<li>Needham analyst Joseph Stringer reiterated a Hold rating on Sept. 13. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 77%.</li>
<li>Evercore ISI Group analyst Cory Kasimov maintained an In-Line rating with a price target of $120 on June 27. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 70%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying MRNA stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think:
Read This Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/11/41776764/jim-cramer-this-financial-stock-is-a-buy-likes-broadcom">Jim Cramer: This Financial Stock Is A Buy, Likes Broadcom</a></li>
</ul>

Earnings

Pre-Market Outlook

Markets

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MRNA

Moderna Gears Up For Q3 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts

Guggenheim analyst Seamus Fernandez maintains Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $137 to $130.

Guggenheim Maintains Buy on Merck & Co, Lowers Price Target to $130

On CNBC's &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mad-money-lightning-round">Mad Money Lightning Round</a>,&#8221; Jim Cramer said he likes Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>).
On Tuesday, Broadcom expanded its multi-year partnership with Telia Company to advance Telia's modernization and transformation of telecom and cloud infrastructure using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/11/41739196/broadcom-powers-telias-modernization-with-vmware-launches-ai-driven-velorain-more">VMware's product portfolio</a>.
SkyWater Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SKYT#NASDAQ">SKYT</a>) is a &#8220;very complicated story&#8221; as the company is losing a lot of money, Cramer said.
SkyWater Technology will report its fiscal third-quarter financial results following the close of the market on Thursday, Nov. 7.
IES Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IESC#NASDAQ">IESC</a>) is a &#8220;really good&#8221; company, Cramer said. &#8220;I think you got a great stock there.&#8221;
On Sept. 26, IES Holdings announced the appointment of John Louis Fouts to its Board of Directors.
S&amp;P Global Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPGI#NYSE">SPGI</a>) is a buy, the &#8220;Mad Money&#8221; host said.
On Nov. 1, S&amp;P Global said it has completed the sale of its PrimeOne business to TS Imagine, a global, cross-asset provider of trading, portfolio, and risk management solutions for financial institutions.
Cramer recommended to buy more of Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) shares.
On Oct. 31, Merck reported third-quarter sales of $16.66 billion, up 4% year over year and beating the consensus estimate of $16.47 billion.
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>Broadcom shares gained 3.2% to settle at $173.90 on Tuesday.</li>
<li>SkyWater Technology shares fell 0.3% to close at $9.65 on Tuesday.</li>
<li>IES Holdings shares gained 3.3% to settle at $246.06 during the session.</li>
<li>S&amp;P Global gained 0.8% to settle at $489.71 on Tuesday.</li>
<li>Merck shares fell 0.2% to close at $101.65.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/24/11/41744659/jim-cramer-says-he-cant-recommend-this-major-automaker-ceva-is-way-too-high">Jim Cramer Says He Can&#8217;t Recommend This Major Automaker, Ceva Is &#8216;Way Too High&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Media

AVGO

IESC

SKYT

SPGI

Jim Cramer: This Financial Stock Is A Buy, Likes Broadcom

JMP Securities initiated coverage on Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMMT#NASDAQ">SMMT</a>), noting the company&#8217;s initial focus on infectious disease. Later, in 2022, the company pivoted to oncology and in-licensed ivonescimab (PD-1 X VEGF bispecific) from Akeso for $500 million upfront and $5 billion in potential milestones.
The analyst says, &#8220;We believe Summit shares represent a unique investment opportunity.&#8221;
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/09/40896344/merckdaiichi-sankyo-partnered-lung-cancer-candidate-meets-primary-goal-in-late-stage-study" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merck/Daiichi Sankyo Partnered Lung Cancer Candidate Meets Primary Goal In Late-Stage Study</a>
JMP notes despite the incredible clinical and commercial success of Merck &amp; Co. Inc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Bristol Myers Squibb &amp; Co&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>) Opdivo (nivolumab), ivonescimab seems as if a formidable opponent has appeared offering higher response rates and a longer median progression-free survival.
In September, Summit Therapeutics&nbsp;released data from the primary analysis of the Phase 3 HARMONi-2 trial of ivonescimab conducted in China.
Ivonescimab monotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the trial&#8217;s primary endpoint, progression-free survival, compared to monotherapy pembrolizumab, achieving a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/09/40771038/summit-therapeutics-lung-cancer-candidate-surpasses-mercks-multi-billion-dollar-keytruda-cuts-ris" rel="noreferrer noopener">hazard ratio (HR) of 0.51</a>.
JMP initiated Summit Therapeutics with a Market Outperform rating and a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SMMT/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target of $32</a>.
The analyst also notes that while the overall survival data are still in progress, Ivonescimab has a strong chance of showing an overall survival advantage over pembrolizumab in first-line non-small cell lung cancer in a future data update.
The analyst notes that with numerous global Phase 3 studies in progress and strong head-to-head data for monotherapy, Summit is positioned to potentially commercialize its treatment in the more targeted EGFRm and first-line NSCLC patient groups.
If successful, this could lead to an estimated $17.9 billion in peak global revenue upon potential entry into the first-line NSCLC market by 2034.
Price Action: SMMT stock is up 5.33% at $20.00 at last check Monday.
Photo via Shutterstock
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41723132/astrazeneca-unveils-early-data-from-chinese-firm-partnered-oral-weight-loss-drug" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AstraZeneca Unveils Early Data From Chinese-Firm Partnered Oral Weight Loss Drug</a></li>
</ul>

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SMMT

Summit Therapeutics 'Unique Investment In Oncology,' Lead Drug Candidate Shows Promise Over Keytruda And Opdivo

Wells Fargo analyst Mohit Bansal maintains Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) with a Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $125 to $110.

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Merck & Co, Lowers Price Target to $110

On Thursday,&nbsp;Merck&nbsp;&amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) reported third-quarter sales of $16.66 billion, up 4% year over year, beating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-beats/24/10/41655506/merck-beats-q3-estimates-but-lowers-annual-forecast-as-gardasil-vaccine-hit-by-low-c" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus of $16.47 billion</a>.
Merck reported a decline of 11% in sales of Gardasil to $2.31 billion, a vaccine that prevents cancer from HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., due to lower demand in China, partially offset by higher sales in the U.S., driven by public-sector buying patterns, higher pricing and demand, and higher demand in most international regions.
Beyond Gardasil, Goldman Sachs highlights a solid lineup of positives for Merck, including robust performance from key franchises like Keytruda and promising momentum from both commercial products like Winrevair and Capvaxive and development-stage innovations such as clesrovimab and tulisokobart.
Merck's blockbuster cancer immunotherapy Keytruda generated&nbsp;$7.43 billion&nbsp;in revenue during the quarter, up 17% from the year-earlier period.&nbsp;
The newly approved Winrevair (sotatercept) for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension generated&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/03/37958211/mercks-11b-bet-pays-as-fda-approves-sotatercept-for-rare-lung-disease" rel="noreferrer noopener">sales of $149 million</a>.
Goldman reiterates the Buy rating for Merck stock, decreasing the price target from $139 to $135, reflecting lowered <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MRK/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">resetting of Gardasil forecasts</a>.
BMO Capital Markets suggests that Merck's Gardasil sales in China may continue to be challenging through 2025.
Although Merck does not provide specific product-level forecasts, CEO Rob Davis offered some perspective, anticipating Gardasil sales in China could reach around $2 billion to $3 billion in 2025.
Winrevair continues to show strong performance, driven by organic demand. According to a BMO analyst, there was some initial skepticism about the organic demand for Winrevair after comments regarding stocking in Q2 2024.
However, the recent performance data has restored confidence, indicating that the drug is experiencing sustained demand growth, with an uptake of approximately 80% for the quarter.
This trend is expected to continue into 2025, particularly with the forthcoming ZENITH and CADENCE trials.
BMO cut the price target from $150 to $136, with an Outperform rating.
Price Action: MRK stock is down 0.22% at $102.07&nbsp;at the last check on Friday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/11/41689161/wayfair-q3-results-earnings-beat-street-but-sales-and-customer-base-decline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wayfair Q3 Results: Earnings Beat Street, But Sales And Customer Base Decline</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Merck

Large Cap

Merck's Gardasil Shot Challenges To Continue, Analysts Optimistic For Newly Approved Sotatercept For Rare Lung Disease

BMO Capital analyst Evan David Seigerman maintains Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $150 to $136.

BMO Capital Maintains Outperform on Merck & Co, Lowers Price Target to $136

Morgan Stanley analyst Terence Flynn maintains Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) with a Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $130 to $123.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on Merck & Co, Lowers Price Target to $123

Risk aversion swept across markets on Thursday as investor disappointment over third-quarter tech earnings triggered the steepest drop in major U.S. indices <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets">in nearly two months.</a>
Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>) plummeted over 5% by midday trading in New York, on track for its worst session in two years. Although the company surpassed earnings estimates, it forecasted slower growth in its Azure cloud business, dampening future revenue expectations.
Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) also declined by over 4% despite a strong quarterly performance, as the social media giant projected &#8220;significant&#8221; capital expenditure growth next year, particularly for AI infrastructure.
The elite &#8220;Magnificent Seven&#8221; tech group shed nearly $500 billion in market capitalization within a single day after reaching a record high of $16.8 trillion. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) are set to report earnings after the market close.
In economic news, inflation sent mixed signals for September. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index slowed as expected to 2.1% annually, while the Fed's preferred inflation measure, the core PCE price index, remained at 2.7% year over year, slightly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/10/41658542/fed-interest-rate-cuts-expected-but-economists-warn-of-bumpy-course-in-this-last-">above the expected 2.6%.</a>
The S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.4%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 slid 2.2%, both tracking their worst session since Sept. 6. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) surged 12%.
Risk aversion also weighed on commodities, with gold prices dropping 1.7%, marking their worst day since July, and silver plunging 3% after a 2% decline on Wednesday. 
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) slid 2.4%, and crypto-related stocks suffered significant losses. Coinbase Global Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) tumbled over 10% on disappointing earnings, eyeing its worst day since May.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>41,832.30</td>
<td>-0.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,213.10</td>
<td>-0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,729.43</td>
<td>-1.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,943.07</td>
<td>-2.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:20 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to <a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent103124&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a> data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) fell 1.5% to $571.51.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>)&nbsp;fell 0.8% to $418.60.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy Invesco QQQ Trust Series (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) tumbled 2.2% to $485.78. </li>
<li>The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) fell 0.7% to $219.65.</li>
<li>The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) outperformed, rising 1.4%. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLK#NYSE">XLK</a>) lagged, down 2.4%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
Stocks reacting to corporate earnings were: 
<ul>
<li>Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKNG#NASDAQ">BKNG</a>), up over 5%, </li>
<li>Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>), up 1.7%,</li>
<li>Starbucks Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBUX#NYSE">SBUX</a>), down 0.6%, </li>
<li>eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBAY#NASDAQ">EBAY</a>), down over 8%, </li>
<li>MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), up 1.9%,</li>
<li>Carvana Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVNA#NYSE">CVNA</a>), up 24%,</li>
<li>Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>), down 1.8%, </li>
<li>Merck &amp; Company Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), down 2.8%,</li>
<li>Linde plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LIN#NASDAQ">LIN</a>), down 2.9%, </li>
<li>Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>), up 2.9%, </li>
<li>Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBER#NYSE">UBER</a>), down over 11%, </li>
<li>Eaton Corp. plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ETN#NYSE">ETN</a>), down 5%, </li>
<li>ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>), up 6%, </li>
<li>Bristo-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>), up 3.3%, </li>
<li>Southern Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SO#NYSE">SO</a>), up 2.2%, </li>
<li>Altria Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MO#NYSE">MO</a>), up 7.6%, </li>
<li>Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REGN#NASDAQ">REGN</a>), down 9%, </li>
<li>The Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), up 3%, </li>
<li>Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NCLH#NYSE">NCLH</a>), up over 9%. </li>
<li>Cheniere Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNG#NYSE">LNG</a>), up over 5%. </li>
</ul>
Large-cap companies slated to report their earnings after the close include Apple Inc, Amazon.com Inc, Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), Atlassian Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TEAM#NASDAQ">TEAM</a>) and Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTRA#NYSE">CTRA</a>).
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41658754/microsoft-in-major-growth-mode-not-slowing-down-4-analysts-see-strong-azure-demand-">Microsoft &#8216;In Major Growth Mode,&#8217; Not Slowing Down: 4 Analysts See Strong Azure Demand, AI Monetization Efforts</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Stocks Tumble, Nasdaq 100 Selloffs As Tech Giants Disappoint, Crypto Companies Plummet: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

On Thursday,&nbsp;Merck&nbsp;&amp; Co Inc&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) reported third-quarter sales of $16.66 billion, up 4% year over year and beating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $16.47 billion</a>.
Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, sales increased 7%.
Merck reported adjusted EPS of $1.57, down from $2.13 a year ago, beating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/10/b41647884/merck-announces-third-quarter-2024-financial-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus of $1.51</a>.
The pharmaceutical unit booked&nbsp;$14.94 billion&nbsp;in revenue, up 5% year over year.
The increase was driven by growth in oncology and cardiovascular, partially offset by declines in diabetes, vaccines, and virology.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41528055/cdc-and-prevention-advisory-panel-backs-expanded-use-of-pfizer-and-mercks-pneumococcal-vaccines" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDC And Prevention Advisory Panel Backs Expanded Use Of Pfizer And Merck&#8217;s Pneumococcal Vaccines</a>
Merck&#8217;s blockbuster cancer immunotherapy Keytruda generated&nbsp;$7.43 billion&nbsp;in revenue during the quarter, up 17% from the year-earlier period.&nbsp;
Merck reported a decline of 11% in sales of Gardasil to $2.31 billion, a vaccine that prevents cancer from HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., due to lower demand in China, partially offset by higher sales in the U.S., driven by public-sector buying patterns, higher pricing and demand, and higher demand in most international regions.
The newly approved Winrevair (sotatercept) for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension generated&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/03/37958211/mercks-11b-bet-pays-as-fda-approves-sotatercept-for-rare-lung-disease" rel="noreferrer noopener">sales of $149 million</a>.
Guidance:&nbsp;Merck revised and narrowed its full-year 2024 forecasts.&nbsp;
The company expects 2024 sales of $63.6 billion–$64.1 billion, compared to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/40036607/mercks-q2-earnings-revenue-and-eps-beat-helped-by-strong-keytruda-sales-but-acquisition-costs-bit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prior guidance of</a> $63.4 billion–$64.4 billion and a consensus of $64.2 billion.
The U.S. pharma giant expects 2024 adjusted EPS of $7.72–$7.77, compared to prior guidance of $7.94 to $8.04 and consensus of $7.74.
Outlook reflects a net negative impact of $0.24/share related to business development transactions with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/08/40293772/mercks-1-3b-deal-for-potential-autoimmune-disorder-candidate-is-relevant-to-cullina" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curon Biopharmaceutical</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/08/b40182859/daiichi-sankyo-and-merck-enter-into-global-development-and-commercialization-agreement-for-mk-6070" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daiichi Sankyo</a>.
Price Action: MRK stock is down 3.3% at $101.47 at last check Thursday.
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Image courtesy of Merck.

Earnings Beats

Merck Beats Q3 Estimates, But Lowers Annual Forecast As Gardasil Vaccine Hit By Low China Demand

Merck CEO Says Company Expects To Continue To See A Decline In Gardasil Shipments Into China Into 2025; Says Co Sees 2025 Market Opportunity For Gardasil In China In The $2B To $3B Range, Driven By Opportunity For Use In Males

Guidance

Merck Expects 2024 Adjusted EPS Of $7.72-$7.77 Compared To Prior Guidance Of $$7.94-$8.04 And Consensus Of $7.74, Outlook Reflects a Net Negative Impact of $0.24/Share Related to Business Development Transactions With Curon Biopharmaceutical and Daiichi Sankyo

Full-Year 2024 Financial Outlook
The following table summarizes the company's full-year financial outlook.
<figure class="table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">&nbsp;</td>
<td colspan="2" rowspan="1">Full Year 2024</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">&nbsp;</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Updated</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Prior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Sales</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">$63.6 to $64.1 billion</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">$63.4 to $64.4 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Non-GAAP Gross margin</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Approximately 81%</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Approximately 81%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Non-GAAP Operating expenses2</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">$27.8 to $28.3 billion</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">$26.8 to $27.6 billion</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Non-GAAP Other (income) expense, net</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Approximately $100 million expense</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Approximately $350 million expense</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Non-GAAP Effective tax rate</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">16.0% to 17.0%</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">15.5% to 16.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Non-GAAP EPS</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">$7.72 to $7.77</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">$7.94 to $8.04</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Share count (assuming dilution)</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Approximately 2.54 billion</td>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Approximately 2.54 billion</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>

Merck Expects 2024 Sales Of $63.6B-$64.1B Compared To Prior Guidance Of $63.4B-$64.4B And Consensus Of $64.162B

Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.57 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.51 by 3.97 percent. This is a 26.29 percent decrease over earnings of $2.13 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $16.66 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $16.47 billion by 1.11 percent. This is a 4.35 percent increase over sales of $15.96 billion the same period last year.

Merck & Co Q3 2024 Adj EPS $1.57 Beats $1.51 Estimate, Sales $16.66B Beat $16.47B Estimate

Looking into the current session, Merck &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) shares are trading at $104.14, after a 0.08% drop. Over the past month, the stock decreased by 9.23%, but over the past year, it actually went up by 1.26%. With questionable short-term performance like this, and great long-term performance, long-term shareholders might want to start looking into the company's price-to-earnings ratio. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1730225888_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Merck &amp; Co P/E Ratio Analysis in Relation to Industry Peers</h3>
The P/E ratio measures the current share price to the company's EPS. It is used by long-term investors to analyze the company's current performance against it's past earnings, historical data and aggregate market data for the industry or the indices, such as S&amp;P 500. A higher P/E indicates that investors expect the company to perform better in the future, and the stock is probably overvalued, but not necessarily. It also could indicate that investors are willing to pay a higher share price currently, because they expect the company to perform better in the upcoming quarters. This leads investors to also remain optimistic about rising dividends in the future. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of the 37.23 in the Pharmaceuticals industry, Merck &amp; Co Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 19.3. Shareholders might be inclined to think that the stock might perform worse than it's industry peers. It's also possible that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1730225888_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In conclusion, the price-to-earnings ratio is a useful metric for analyzing a company's market performance, but it has its limitations. While a lower P/E can indicate that a company is undervalued, it can also suggest that shareholders do not expect future growth. Additionally, the P/E ratio should not be used in isolation, as other factors such as industry trends and business cycles can also impact a company's stock price. Therefore, investors should use the P/E ratio in conjunction with other financial metrics and qualitative analysis to make informed investment decisions.

Intraday Update

A Look Into Merck & Co Inc's Price Over Earnings

On Monday, Merck&nbsp;&amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) and Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) announced the initiation of INTerpath-009, a pivotal Phase 3 trial of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/10/b41569578/merck-and-moderna-initiate-phase-3-trial-evaluating-adjuvant-v940-mrna-4157-in-combination-with-ke" rel="noreferrer noopener">V940 (mRNA-4157)</a>.
V940 is an investigational individualized neoantigen therapy under development in combination with Keytruda&nbsp;(pembrolizumab) as adjuvant treatment for resectable Stage II, IIIA or IIIB (N2) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who did not achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) after receiving neoadjuvant Keytruda plus platinum-based chemotherapy.
Global recruitment in INTerpath-009 has begun, and the first patients have started enrolling in Canada.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40863528/moderna-faces-analyst-downgrades-amid-revised-r-d-restructured-strategy-and-delayed" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moderna Faces Analyst Downgrades Amid Revised R&amp;D Restructured Strategy and Delayed Profitability Target</a>
Merck and Moderna have initiated Phase 3 trials evaluating mRNA-4157 (V940) in combination with Keytruda as an adjuvant treatment in patients with resected high-risk (Stage IIB-IV) melanoma (INTerpath-001) and non-small cell lung cancer (INTerpath-002).
In 2024, Merck and Moderna also initiated a two-part Phase 2/3 trial evaluating mRNA-4157 in combination with Keytruda as neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment for resectable locally advanced Stage II-IV cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (INTerpath-007), a Phase 2 trial of mRNA-4157 (V940) plus Keytruda as adjuvant treatment for intermediate-high-risk, high-risk, or M1 no evidence of disease renal cell carcinoma (INTerpath-004), and a Phase 2 trial of mRNA-4157 plus Keytruda as adjuvant treatment for high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma post-radical resection (INTerpath-005).
In June, the companies unveiled the first presentation of results from a planned analysis from the Phase 2b&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/06/ac39134412/moderna-merck-announce-3-year-data-for-mrna-4157-v940-in-combination-with-keytruda-r-pembrolizuma" rel="noreferrer noopener">KEYNOTE-942/mRNA-4157-P201 study</a>.
With a median follow-up of approximately three years (34.9 months), adjuvant treatment with mRNA-4157 (V940) in combination with Keytruda continued to demonstrate a clinically meaningful and durable improvement in recurrence-free survival (RFS), the primary endpoint of the study, reducing the risk of recurrence or death by 49% <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/06/39138772/moderna-merck-reveal-three-year-data-for-individualized-cancer-therapy-in-high-risk-melanoma-pati" rel="noreferrer noopener">compared with Keytruda alone</a>.
Price Action: MRNA stock is up 2.90% at $54.63 at last check Monday.
Photo by Lutsenko_Oleksandr on Shutterstock
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Why Is Moderna Stock Trading Higher On Monday?

Merck And Moderna Initiate INTerpath-009 Phase 3 Trial Of V940 (mRNA-4157), An Investigational Individualized Neoantigen Therapy In Combination With Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) As Adjuvant Treatment After Neoadjuvant Keytruda And Chemotherapy In Patients With Certain Types Of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

On CNBC's &#8220;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/10/23/final-trades-eaton-transdigm-and-goldman-sachs.html">Halftime Report Final Trades</a>,&#8221; Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington of Gilman Hill Asset Management, LLC named Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41528055/cdc-and-prevention-advisory-panel-backs-expanded-use-of-pfizer-and-mercks-pneumococcal-vaccines">as her final trade</a>.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for expanded usage recommendation for Merck &amp; Co Inc's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) and Pfizer's pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. The CDC panel has recommended lowering the pneumococcal vaccination age from 65 to 50 years old.
Liz Young Thomas of SoFi picked SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XAR#NYSE">XAR</a>).
Don't forget to check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
Joshua Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management named Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LYV#NYSE">LYV</a>).
The company will release its third quarter financial results on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings at $1.61 per share, down from $1.78 per share in the year-ago period. The company projects to report revenue of $7.8 billion, compared to $6.99 billion a year earlier.
On Thursday, JP Morgan analyst David Karnovsky maintained Live Nation Entertainment with an Overweight and raised the price target from $118 to $137.
Price Action:
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<li>Pfizer shares fell 0.8% to close at $28.64 during Thursday's session.</li>
<li>SPDR S&amp;P Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF slipped 0.9% during Thursday's session.</li>
<li>Live Nation Entertainment shares gained 1.5% to close at $116.45 on Thursday.</li>
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Image: Shutterstock

Pfizer, Live Nation Entertainment And More On CNBC's 'Final Trades'

On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&#8217;s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for expanded usage recommendation for Merck &amp; Co Inc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) and Pfizer Inc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
The CDC panel has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s1023-pneumococcal-vaccination.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">recommended</a> lowering the pneumococcal vaccination age from 65 to 50 years old.
&#8220;ACIP&#8217;s vote to expand adult pneumococcal vaccination to now include all adults aged 50 and older marks an important milestone in Pfizer&#8217;s long-standing commitment to reducing the burden of this life-threatening disease,&#8221; Pfizer&#8217;s chief medical affairs officer for global vaccines and antivirals, said Luis Jodar.
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The 20 serotypes contained in Pfizer&#8217;s PREVNAR 20 are estimated to cause over 2,000 deaths and more than 65,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), including bacteremia and meningitis and community-acquired pneumonia annually in adults aged 50 to 64.
Between 2018 and 2022, more than half of IPD cases in people aged 50 to 64 were caused by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/10/b41502283/advisory-committee-on-immunization-practices-recommends-prevnar-20-20-valent-pneumococcal-conjugat" rel="noreferrer noopener">these 20 serotypes</a>.
In the presentation, ACIP <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/acip/downloads/slides-2024-10-23-24/04-Kobayashi-Pneumococcal-508.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">highlighted</a> that among adults aged 50–64 with pneumococcal disease, a high proportion (88%) of adults
had ≥1 condition with a risk-based pneumococcal vaccine indication.
The CDC&#8217;s pneumococcal vaccines workgroup emphasized in its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/acip/downloads/slides-2024-10-23-24/01-Loehr-Pneumococcal-508.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">presentation</a> that an age-based recommendation would likely increase vaccine uptake more effectively than a risk-based approach.
The expert panel also highlighted economic impact, serotype coverage, and health equity advantages to support its recommendation.
In June this year, the FDA approved Merck&#8217;s Capvaxive (Pneumococcal 21-valent Conjugate Vaccine)&nbsp;to&nbsp;protect against 21 strains of bacteria to prevent a severe <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/06/39376762/fda-approves-mercks-pneumococcal-vaccine-as-first-shot-designed-for-adults" rel="noreferrer noopener">form of&nbsp;pneumococcal disease</a>.
It&#8217;s the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine specifically designed to protect adults from&nbsp;a bacteria known&nbsp;as pneumococcus that can&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/06/b39368018/u-s-fda-approves-capvaxive-pneumococcal-21-valent-conjugate-vaccine-for-prevention-of-invasive-pne" rel="noreferrer noopener">cause&nbsp;serious illnesses&nbsp;and a lung infection</a>.
Price Action: At the last check on Thursday, MRK stock was down 0.73% at $105.60, and PFE stock was down 1.02% at $28.57.
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Photo via Shutterstock

CDC And Prevention Advisory Panel Backs Expanded Use Of Pfizer And Merck's Pneumococcal Vaccines

As the global population ages, demand for healthcare solutions are expected to surge. As a result, investors might consider fundamentally solid healthcare stocks UnitedHealth Group, AbbVie, and Merck & Co., which are poised to benefit from the aging population boom. Keep reading... The rising global elderly population is driving increased demand for healthcare services, medications, and insurance, providing strong momentum for the healthcare sector. Coupled with rapid advancements in technology and new treatment innovations, the industry's outlook is more promising than ever.
Given this backdrop, it could be wise to consider investing in fundamentally sound healthcare companies like UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNH/">UNH</a>), AbbVie Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/ABBV/">ABBV</a>), and Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRK/">MRK</a>), which are well-positioned to capitalize on this demographic shift.
A <a href="https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/program-retirement-policy/projects/data-warehouse/what-future-holds/us-population-aging">report projects</a> that by 2040, one in five Americans—totaling 80 million people—will be 65 or older. As the global population ages, the demand for biopharma products and advanced drugs to manage chronic diseases is set to grow significantly. The pharmaceuticals market is forecasted to generate $1.45 trillion in revenue by 2029, <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/hmo/pharmaceuticals/worldwide">exhibiting a CAGR of 4.7%</a>.
The health insurance market is expected to proliferate due to an aging population, increasing chronic diseases, and greater awareness of the financial benefits of health coverage. As per Precedence Research, the global health insurance market is anticipated to hit $5.12 trillion by 2034, growing at a <a href="https://precedenceresearch.com/health-insurance-market">CAGR of 7.4%</a>.
Considering these conducive trends, let's analyze the fundamentals of the three healthcare picks mentioned above.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNH/">UNH</a>)
UNH operates as a diversified healthcare company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and OptumRx.
On August 29, UNH and Goodwill Industries announced a partnership with a $4.5 million investment over three years to expand job training, health services, and workforce opportunities across 25 states, aiming to support access to better employment.
During the third quarter that ended September 30, 2024, UNH's total revenues increased 9.2% year-over-year to $100.82 billion. The company's earnings from operations came in at $8.71 billion, up 2.1% from the year-ago value. Moreover, its adjusted net earnings attributable to UNH common shareholders came in at $6.65 billion and $7.15 per share, up 8.4% and 9% from the previous year's quarter, respectively.
Street expects UNH's <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/eps.asp">EPS</a> and revenue for the quarter ending December 31, 2024, to increase 9.8% and 7.8% year-over-year to $6.76 and $101.79 billion, respectively. It surpassed Street EPS and revenue estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, which is remarkable.
Over the past year, the stock has gained 6.8% to close the last trading session at $565.79. It soared 7.6% year-to-date.
UNH's <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a> reflect strong prospects. The POWR Ratings are calculated by considering 118 distinct factors, with each factor weighted to an optimal degree.
It has a B grade for Stability and Quality. It is ranked #5 out of 10 stocks in the A-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/health-insurance/">Medical – Health Insurance</a> industry.
Click <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/UNH/">here </a>to see UNH's ratings for Growth, Value, Momentum, and Sentiment.
AbbVie Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/ABBV/">ABBV</a>)
ABBV is a global diversified research-based biopharmaceutical company engaged in manufacturing and selling medications and therapies. It offers a comprehensive product portfolio across Immunology, Oncology, Neuroscience, Eye Care, Aesthetics, and Other Specialties.
On October 29, ABBV announced that Ontario would list VRAYLAR&#xAE; (cariprazine) as a General Benefit on its formulary starting October 31, 2024. This aims to improve access to mental health medication in Canada, where public coverage is crucial, as many individuals with serious mental illness face unemployment. VRAYLAR is already covered in Québec and by several federal programs for treating schizophrenia.
On October 28, the company would acquire Aliada Therapeutics, a biotech company developing blood-brain barrier-crossing technology to treat CNS diseases. Aliada's lead asset, ALIA-1758, is an antibody targeting Alzheimer's disease.
For the six-month period that ended on June 30, 2024, ABBV's net revenue increased 2.6% year-over-year to $26.77 billion, while the company's Neuroscience segment reported net revenue of $4.13 billion, indicating a 15.3% growth from the prior-year period. Its attributable net income came in at $2.74 billion, up 21% year-over-year, while its earnings per share attributable grew 21.4% from the year-ago value to $1.53.
ABBV raised its adjusted EPS guidance to range between $10.71 and $10.91 from the prior forecast of $10.61 and $10.81.
Analysts expect ABBV's revenue and EPS for the fiscal fourth quarter (ending December 2024) to increase 2.6% and 5.5% year-over-year to $14.68 billion and $2.94, respectively. Moreover, it beat the revenue estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
The stock climbed 22.3% year-to-date and 22.32% over the past year, to close the last trading session at $189.26.
ABBV's bright prospects are reflected in its POWR Ratings. The stock has an overall rating of A, equating to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system.
ABBV has a B grade for Growth, Value, Sentiment, Stability, and Quality. It is ranked #2 out of 163 stocks in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/pharmaceuticals/">Medical – Pharmaceuticals </a>industry.
In addition to the POWR Ratings we've stated above, we also have ABBV ratings for Momentum. Get all ABBV ratings <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/ABBV/">here</a>.
Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRK/">MRK</a>)
MRK operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments: Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The company's offerings include global healthcare solutions in human health pharmaceuticals (oncology, immunology) and preventive vaccines. The Animal Health segment provides veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and digital health products.
On October 28, MRK announced that it and Moderna, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRNA/">MRNA</a>) had initiated a Phase 3 trial, INTerpath-009, to evaluate V940 (mRNA-4157) combined with KEYTRUDA&#xAE; as an adjuvant treatment for resectable Stage II or III non-small cell lung cancer patients who did not achieve a complete response with prior therapies.
MRK's total sales rose 7.2% year-over-year to $16.11 billion for the second quarter that ended June 30, 2024. MRK's KEYTRUDA sales increased 15.9% year-over-year to $7.27 billion. Similarly, the company's non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS were $5.81 billion and $2.28, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $5.22 billion and $2.06 per share in the same quarter of the prior year, respectively.
Street expects MRK's revenue for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2024, to increase 7.3% year-over-year to $15.70 billion. Its EPS for the same quarter is expected to grow considerably year-over-year to $1.91. It surpassed the Street EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.
Shares of MRK have gained 0.6% over the past year, closing the last trading session at $104.20.
MRK's positive outlook is reflected in its POWR Ratings. The stock has an overall rating of B, equating to a Buy in our proprietary rating system.
MRK has an A grade for Quality and a B for Value and Stability. It is ranked #12 in the Medical – Pharmaceuticals industry.
To access additional ratings of MRK for Growth, Momentum, and Sentiment, <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRK/">click here</a>.
What To Do Next?
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<a href="https://report.stocknews.com/free-report/10-stocks-to-sell/?formplacement=artbotad_10sell">10 Stocks to SELL NOW! &gt;</a>

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UNH shares were trading at $562.07 per share on Tuesday afternoon, down $3.17 (-0.56%). Year-to-date, UNH has gained 8.02%, versus a 23.62% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
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Low P/E S&P stocks stand out as undervalued picks in a volatile market, offering income and potential growth. Amid this backdrop, investors looking for low P/E stocks might consider Merck & Co. (MRK), Verizon Communications (VZ), and The Kroger Co. (KR), as they are well-positioned to deliver steady returns. Read more… S&amp;P stocks with <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/price-earningsratio.asp">low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios</a> can offer attractive entry points for value-focused investors, especially those seeking established blue-chip companies with long-term growth prospects. Below, I have highlighted three such S&amp;P stocks that have low P/E ratios, namely, Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRK/">MRK</a>), Verizon Communications Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/VZ/">VZ</a>), and The Kroger Co. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KR/">KR</a>).
Now, you might wonder why a low P/E ratio. Well, lower P/E ratios often indicate undervaluation relative to its peers in the industry, particularly for companies with stable cash flows and strong market positions. This valuation measure becomes particularly appealing amid market volatility due to temporary or sector-specific challenges.
Specific sectors like healthcare, industrials, and financials are showing favorable P/E ratios relative to historical averages in the current market. These sectors often <a href="https://fullratio.com/pe-ratio-by-industry">benefit from cyclical market upswings</a>, and their stable earnings profiles can provide a cushion against economic slowdowns.
In sum, S&amp;P stocks with low P/E ratios are drawing attention as attractive investment opportunities for long-term and income-focused investors. Given these favorable trends, let's analyze the fundamental aspects of the MRK, VZ, and KR to understand them better:
Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRK/">MRK</a>)
MRK is a global healthcare company offering health solutions through its prescription medicines, including biological therapies, vaccines, and animal health products. It operates through two segments: Pharmaceutical and Animal Health.
On October 23, MRK announced that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to update the adult-age-based pneumococcal vaccination guidelines and to recommend CAPVAXIVE in adults 50 years of age and older. This recommendation is an important step forward to access and vaccination rate improvement.
In the same month, MRK and Exelixis, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/EXEL/">EXEL</a>) signed a clinical development collaboration to evaluate the combination of EXEL's investigational tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) zanzalintinib with MRK's anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA&#xAE; (pembrolizumab) in Phase 3 pivotal trial for the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer in combination with WELIREG (belzutifan) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
This collaboration is for an unmet clinical need with two approved therapies and should pave the way further for zanzalintinib development in RCC.
In terms of forward non-GAAP P/E, MRK is trading at 12.98x, 37.8% lower than the industry average of 20.88x. Likewise, the stock's forward EV/EBIT and Price/Cash Flow multiples of 11.79 and 9.88 are 28.6% and 36.9% lower than their respective industry averages of 16.50 and 15.68.
MRK's sales for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, increased 6.7% year-over-year to $48.54 billion, while its Pharmaceutical segment's sales improved by 7.2% from the prior year's value to $43.36 billion. The company's net income attributable rose significantly from the year-ago value to $13.37 billion, while its EPS stood at $5.26, up considerably year-over-year.
According to the full-year 2024 guidance, MRK forecasts worldwide sales to range from $63.60 billion to $64.10 billion, an increase from the previous guidance of $63.40 billion to $64.40 billion. The company also expects non-GAAP EPS to be between $7.72 and $7.77.
The consensus revenue estimate of $15.63 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter (ending December 2024) represents a 6.8% increase year-over-year. The consensus EPS estimate of $1.87 for the current quarter indicates a considerable improvement year-over-year. The company has an impressive surprise history; it surpassed the consensus revenue and EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Over the intraday, the stock has declined marginally, closing the last trading session at $101.87.
MRK's <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a> reflect its promising outlook. The stock has an overall rating of A, which equates to a Strong Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings are calculated by considering 118 different factors, with each factor weighted to an optimal degree.
MRK has an A grade for Quality and a B for Value and Stability. It is ranked #5 out of 161 stocks in the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/pharmaceuticals/">Medical - Pharmaceuticals</a> industry. <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/MRK/">Click here</a> to see the additional ratings for MRK (Growth, Momentum, and Sentiment).
Verizon Communications Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/VZ/">VZ</a>)
VZ offers consumers, businesses, and governmental agencies communications, information, and entertainment products and services. It operates through two segments, Verizon Consumer Group and Verizon Business Group, providing wireless and wireline communications services and products in the United States.
On September 30, VZ and Vertical Bridge entered into an agreement for Vertical Bridge to obtain the exclusive rights to lease, operate, and manage 6,339 wireless communications towers across all 50 states from VZ for $3.3 billion, with an upfront $2.8 billion in cash. This transaction will save costs for VZ and create greater vendor diversity in the market.
On September 5, VZ entered into an agreement with Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (FYBR) to acquire Frontier in an all-cash transaction valued at $20 billion. This acquisition will considerably expand VZ's fiber footprint and intelligent edge network for digital innovations like AI and IoT in the market.
In terms of forward non-GAAP P/E, VZ is trading at 8.92x, 34.9% lower than the industry average of 13.72x. Likewise, the stock's forward EV/EBIT and Price/Cash Flow multiples of 11.98 and 5.00 are 21.6% and 40.5% lower than the industry averages of 15.28x and 8.39x, respectively.
In the fiscal third quarter that ended on September 30, 2024, VZ's service revenues and other increased marginally year-over-year, amounting to $27.99 billion. The company's consolidated adjusted EBITDA came in at $12.49 billion, up 2.1% year-over-year, and its EPS stood at $0.41, up 355.6% year-over-year.
According to VZ's guidance and outlook for its fiscal year 2024, it is projecting adjusted EBITDA to grow between 1% to 3%. Additionally, its adjusted EPS guidance ranges from $4.50 to $4.70. The company also expects total wireless services revenue growth to range between 2% and 3.5%.
Street expects VZ's revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter (ending December 2024) to increase marginally year-over-year to $35.45 billion. Its EPS for the same period is expected to register a 2.9% growth from the prior year, settling at $1.11. In addition, it surpassed the consensus EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters, which is promising.
The stock has gained 14% over the past year to close the last trading session at $41.06.
VZ's bright prospects are reflected in its POWR Ratings. The stock has an overall rating of B, which translates to a Buy in our proprietary rating system.
It also has a B grade for Growth and Stability. Within the <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/telecom-domestic/">Telecom - Domestic</a> industry, it is ranked #3 out of 20 stocks. <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/VZ/">Click here</a> to see VZ's ratings for Value, Momentum, Sentiment, and Quality.
The Kroger Co. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KR/">KR</a>)
KR is a food and drug retailer that owns and operates in supermarkets, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price-impact warehouses. It offers grocery, health, and beauty care items, general merchandise (including apparel, home goods, and toys), pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce.
On October 8, KR announced that Boost by Kroger Plus will include Disney streaming options as part of its annual memberships. The company's members can choose from Disney+ Basic (With Ads), Hulu (With Ads), or an ESPN+ subscription as part of an inclusion benefit. This collaboration will make the program more valuable and convenient.
In the same month, KR closed the transaction to sell its specialty pharmacy business to Elevance Health. The specialty pharmacy, earlier owned by KR, serves patients with chronic illnesses that require complex care.
In terms of forward non-GAAP P/E, KR is trading at 12.66x, which is 28% lower than the industry average of 17.59x. The stock's forward Price/Cash Flow ratio of 6.48x is 51% below the industry average of 13.24x. Also, its forward EV/Sales multiple of 0.38 compares to the industry average of 1.72x.
For the second quarter of 2024, which ended on August 17, KR's sales increased marginally year-over-year to $33.91 billion. Its operating profit came in at $815 million versus a loss of $479 million in the prior year. Further, its attributable net earnings amounted to $466 million and $0.64 per share, compared to a net loss of $180 million and $0.25 per share in 2023.
As per the updated financial guidance for the full year 2024, KR now forecasts identical sales without fuel between 0.75% and 1.75%. The company expects adjusted FIFO operating profit to be in the range of $4.60 billion to $4.80 billion. Also, its adjusted net earnings per share is forecasted to lie between $4.30 and $4.50.
Street expects KR's revenue for the fiscal third quarter (ended October 2024) to increase marginally year-over-year to $34.22 billion. Its EPS for the same period is expected to register a 2.8% growth from the prior year, settling at $0.98. In addition, it surpassed the EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, which is promising.
Shares of KR have surged 24% over the past year and 21.9% over the past nine months to close the last trading session at $56.27.
It's no surprise that KR has an overall rating of B, equating to a Buy in our POWR Ratings system. It has a B grade for Value and Quality. Out of 37 stocks in the A-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/grocery-big-box-retailers/">Grocery/Big Box Retailers</a> industry, KR is ranked #23.
Beyond what is stated above, we've also rated KR for Growth, Momentum, Stability, and Sentiment. Get all KR's ratings <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KR/">here</a>.
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<hr />
MRK shares were trading at $101.63 per share on Tuesday afternoon, down $0.24 (-0.24%). Year-to-date, MRK has declined -4.99%, versus a 22.27% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: ShreyaRathi</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0.jpeg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;"><a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=shreya-rathi">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/mrk-vz-kr-exel-3-sp-stocks-with-low-p-e-ratios-to-buy-now/>3 S&P Stocks With Low P/E Ratios to Buy Now</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

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