El interés en corto de Merck & Co da a los inversores una idea del grado en que los inversores apuestan por la caída de las acciones de Merck & Co. Los datos de interés en corto se actualizan cada dos semanas.

Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) Bolsa, Informe de interés en corto

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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Merck & Co Inc

Marker Therapeutics Inc

MARKY CORP by MARKY CORP.

Merck &amp; Co's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) short percent of float has risen 26.56% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 40.94 million shares sold short, which is 1.62% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.43 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Merck &amp; Co Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741808785_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Merck &amp; Co has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Merck &amp; Co's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Merck &amp; Co's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.07%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

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How Do Investors Really Feel About Merck & Co?

On Wednesday, Merck&nbsp;&amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) announced the presentation of results from two Phase 3 trials of doravirine/islatravir (DOR/ISL) in adults with HIV-1 infection that is virologically suppressed on bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamidei&nbsp;(BIC/FTC/TAF) in trial&nbsp;MK-8591A-052) or antiretroviral therapy (bART) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care" rel="noreferrer noopener">in trial&nbsp;MK-8591A-051</a>.
In both trials, DOR/ISL met the primary efficacy success criterion for non-inferiority to comparator antiretroviral therapies and primary safety <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/b44280630/merck-announces-positive-data-from-phase-3-trials-that-show-the-investigational-once-daily-oral-tw" rel="noreferrer noopener">objectives at Week 48</a>.
The company released the topline data from both studies <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/12/42600482/mercks-investigational-two-drug-regime-for-hiv-meets-primary-goal-in-two-late-stage-trials" rel="noreferrer noopener">in December 2024</a>.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44252770/merck-injects-1-billion-to-expand-vaccine-production-in-us" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merck Injects $1 Billion To Expand Vaccine Production In US</a>
Merck plans to begin submitting applications for marketing authorization to regulatory agencies by mid-2025.
<ul>
<li>In the trial MK-8591A-052, results for the primary endpoint (HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL) showed that 1.5% of participants who switched to DOR/ISL had a viral load of ≥50 copies/mL at Week 48, compared to 0.6% on BIC/FTC/TAF.</li>
<li>At Week 48, 91.5% of participants who switched to DOR/ISL maintained viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA &lt;50 copies/mL) compared to 94.2% of participants who continued receiving BIC/FTC/TAF.</li>
</ul>
In the trial MK-8591A-051, results for the primary endpoint showed that 1.4% of participants who received DOR/ISL had a viral load of ≥50 copies/mL at Week 48, compared to 4.9% on bART.
<ul>
<li>At Week 48, 95.6% of participants who switched to DOR/ISL maintained viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA &lt;50 copies/mL) compared to 91.9% of participants who continued on bART.</li>
</ul>
Price Action: MRK stock is down 0.65% at $94.11 at the last check Wednesday.
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Photo Courtesy of Merck

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Merck Plans Regulatory Submission For Two-Drug Regime For HIV Infection By Mid-2025

DOR/ISL demonstrated non-inferiority and a similar safety profile to comparator antiretroviral therapies in adults with virologically suppressed HIV-1
Merck (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the presentation of positive results from two pivotal Phase 3 trials of the investigational, once-daily, oral, two-drug regimen of doravirine/islatravir [DOR/ISL (100mg/0.25mg)] in adults with HIV-1 infection that is virologically suppressed on bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamidei [BIC/FTC/TAF (50mg/200mg/25mg)] in trial <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fclinicaltrials.gov%2Fstudy%2FNCT05630755&amp;esheet=54223136&amp;newsitemid=20250312706063&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=MK-8591A-052&amp;index=1&amp;md5=d962319798a591d93c498e4e23a89f2f">MK-8591A-052</a>) or antiretroviral therapy [baseline antiretroviral therapy (bART)] in trial <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fclinicaltrials.gov%2Fstudy%2FNCT05631093%3Fterm%3Dislatravir%26page%3D2%26rank%3D20&amp;esheet=54223136&amp;newsitemid=20250312706063&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=MK-8591A-051&amp;index=2&amp;md5=9f12d7e4233e638166ba99975cc400aa">MK-8591A-051</a>. In both trials, DOR/ISL met the primary efficacy success criterion for non-inferiority to comparator antiretroviral therapies and primary safety objectives at Week 48. The findings will be shared in late-breaking oral presentations at the 32nd Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) being held in San Francisco and were featured in a CROI press conference. Merck plans to begin submitting applications for marketing authorization to regulatory agencies by mid-2025.
In the double-blind trial MK-8591A-052 (Abstract #204A), results for the primary endpoint (HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL) showed that 1.5% of participants who switched to DOR/ISL had a viral load of ≥50 copies/mL at Week 48, compared to 0.6% on BIC/FTC/TAF (treatment difference 0.9%, 95% CI -1.9, 2.9). At Week 48, 91.5% of participants who switched to DOR/ISL maintained viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA &lt;50 copies/mL) compared to 94.2% of participants who continued receiving BIC/FTC/TAF (treatment difference -2.6%, 95% CI -7.1, 2.6; secondary endpoint).
In the open-label trial MK-8591A-051 (Abstract #204B), results for the primary endpoint (HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL) showed that 1.4% of participants who received DOR/ISL had a viral load of ≥50 copies/mL at Week 48, compared to 4.9% on bART (treatment difference -3.6%, 95% CI -7.8, -0.8. At Week 48, 95.6% of participants who switched to DOR/ISL maintained viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA &lt;50 copies/mL) compared to 91.9% of participants who continued on bART (treatment difference 3.7%, 95% CI -0.3, 8.9; secondary endpoint).
Across both trials, the safety profile of DOR/ISL was generally comparable to the comparator antiretroviral regimens, including BIC/FTC/TAF in MK-8591A-052. At Week 48, the mean percent change in total lymphocyte and CD4 counts were similar for DOR/ISL and comparator regimens. No treatment-emergent resistance to DOR or ISL was observed in either trial.

Merck Announces Data From Phase 3 Trials That Show The Investigational, Once-Daily, Oral, Two-Drug Regimen Of Doravirine/Islatravir Maintained HIV-1 Viral Suppression At Week 48

On Tuesday, Merck&nbsp;&amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) opened a new $1 billion, 225,000-square-foot facility for vaccine manufacturing at its Durham, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina, site</a>.
This expansion is a crucial component of the more than $12 billion Merck has invested in the U.S. since 2018. It&#8217;s focused on expanding domestic manufacturing and research and development capabilities. The company also aims to create new jobs in the U.S., with another $8-billion capital investment <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/b44242543/merck-unveils-new-facility-to-increase-vaccine-production-capacity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">by 2028</a>.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44101319/pfizer-mulls-us-manufacturing-shift-amid-looming-tariff-threats-will-the-trump-administration-co-invest-asks-analyst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pfizer CEO Says Company May Shift Overseas Manufacturing To US Amid Looming Tariff Threats</a>
During the fourth quarter, Merck reported a decline of 17% in sales of Gardasil to $1.55 billion. Gardasil is a vaccine that prevents cancer from HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. 
The decline is primarily due to lower demand in China, partially offset by higher demand in most international regions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43461426/mercks-gardasil-vaccine-slowdown-in-china-bites-again-stock-falls-on-lower-than-expected-2025-outlook" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particularly in Japan</a>.
Merck expects fiscal year 2025 sales of $64.1 billion-$65.6 billion versus a consensus of $67.31 billion,&nbsp;including a negative impact of foreign exchange of approximately 2% at mid-January 2025 exchange rates.
The sales range reflects a decision to temporarily pause Gardasil/Gardasil 9 shipments into China beginning February 2025 through at least mid-year.
In February, at a press conference in&nbsp;Washington, D.C.,&nbsp;Eli Lilly And Co&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) announced its plans to bolster its domestic medicine production across therapeutic areas by building four new pharmaceutical&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/02/43982604/eli-lilly-doubles-capital-spending-on-us-drug-manufacturing-with-50-billion-target" rel="noreferrer noopener">manufacturing sites in&nbsp;the U.S</a>.
The company is currently negotiating with several states. The company's previous domestic capital expansion commitments from 2020 to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42370795/investments-in-eli-lillys-production-capabilities-reaches-23-billion-with-additional-3-billion-expansion-at-us-facility" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 totaled&nbsp;$23 billion</a>.
In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to Sanofi SA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNY#NASDAQ">SNY</a>). 
After an inspection conducted last year, the agency flagged major concerns about Genzyme's processes <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/43142442/sanofi-genzyme-facility-fda-quality-lapses">for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients</a>.
Price Action: Merck stock is down 1.53% at $93.78 at the last check Tuesday.
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Image: Courtesy of Merck

Merck Injects $1 Billion To Expand Vaccine Production In US

Merck announces Opening Of New $1B 225,000-Square-Foot Facility Dedicated To Vaccine Manufacturing At Its Durham, North Carolina Site

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MRK, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 13 uncommon options trades for Merck &amp; Co.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 53% bullish and 38%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $141,686, and 10 are calls, for a total amount of $889,775.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $80.0 to $120.0 for Merck &amp; Co over the recent three months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Merck &amp; Co options trades today is 3216.75 with a total volume of 4,215.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Merck &amp; Co's big money trades within a strike price range of $80.0 to $120.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Merck &amp; Co 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741623348_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$2.99</td>
<td>$2.48</td>
<td>$3.05</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$457.5K</td>
<td>7.1K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$0.8</td>
<td>$0.79</td>
<td>$0.8</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$110.9K</td>
<td>8.0K</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/20/26</td>
<td>$9.5</td>
<td>$8.35</td>
<td>$9.5</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$75.9K</td>
<td>684</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$7.35</td>
<td>$7.25</td>
<td>$7.35</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$73.5K</td>
<td>8.9K</td>
<td>522</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$7.35</td>
<td>$7.2</td>
<td>$7.35</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$73.5K</td>
<td>8.9K</td>
<td>522</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Merck &amp; Co</h3>
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.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Merck &amp; Co</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 5,153,380, the price of MRK is up 1.56% at $96.12. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 45 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Merck &amp; Co</h3>
In the last month, 2 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $110.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Deutsche Bank downgraded its rating to Hold, setting a price target of $105. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Guggenheim has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Merck &amp; Co, which currently sits at a price target of $115. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Merck &amp; Co with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Options

Merck & Co Unusual Options Activity For March 10

HC Wainwright has initiated coverage on ImmunityBio, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBRX#NASDAQ">IBRX</a>). The company's lead asset is Anktiva (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln) solution for intravesical use, approved by the Food and Drug Administration indicated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for adult patients with BCG-unresponsive bladder carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech">without papillary tumors</a>.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/43038889/immunitybio-stock-trading-higher-on-updates-from-bladder-cancer-trials-details" rel="noreferrer noopener">ImmunityBio Stock Trading Higher On Updates From Bladder Cancer Trials: Details</a>
HC Wainwright analyst Andres Y. Maldonado writes that Anktiva will follow a different market path than the two latest FDA-approved treatments for high-risk bladder cancer—Merck &amp; Co Inc's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) Keytruda and Ferring Pharmaceutical's Adstiladrin—both of which have faced hurdles after launch.
Keytruda's adoption has been slow because urologists are hesitant to refer patients to oncologists and worry about its side effects. Adstiladrin, on the other hand, has struggled with supply issues, though Ferring says availability has recently improved.
HC Wainwright projects 2025 Anktiva revenue of $137.4 million, growing to $4.3 billion by 2034. The analyst has initiated with a Buy rating <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IBRX/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and an $8 price target</a>.
In the fourth quarter, ImmunityBio reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/b44073991/immunitybio-reports-sales-momentum-unit-growth-since-permanent-j-code-issuance-j9028-in-january-20">product revenue of $7.21 million</a> and $14.2 million in the fiscal year 2024. The increase was driven by sales of ANKTIVA after FDA <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/04/38380405/fda-approves-immunitybios-bladder-cancer-drug-stock-rallies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">approval in April 2024</a>.
Recently, the FDA granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation for Anktiva and CAR-NK (PD-L1 t-haNK) for the reversal of lymphopenia in patients receiving standard-of-care chemotherapy/radiotherapy and in multiply relapsed locally advanced or <a target="_blank" href="http://lymphopenia in patients receiving standard-of-care chemotherapy/radiotherapy and in multiply relapsed locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer." rel="noreferrer noopener">metastatic pancreatic cancer</a>.
While many are watching the competition between CG Oncology Inc's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CGON#NASDAQ">CGON</a>) cretostimogene and Johnson &amp; Johnson's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) TAR-200 in the NMIBC market, Anktiva stands out with a first-mover advantage in a market potentially worth over $5 billion, the analyst says.
&#8220;Ultimately, we believe ANKTIVA's profile coupled with ease of administration will weigh more heavily in treatment decisions than comparisons of complete response (CR) rates at various time points to unapproved products,&#8221; the analyst writes.
Price Action: IBRX stock is down 2.47% at $2.98 at last check Thursday.
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Photo: Shutterstock

Initiation

Analyst Ratings

CGON

IBRX

ImmunityBio Analyst Predicts Strong 2025 For New Bladder Cancer Drug

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with MRK, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 12 uncommon options trades for Merck &amp; Co.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 50% bullish and 16%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $108,276, and 9 are calls, for a total amount of $551,530.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $80.0 to $105.0 for Merck &amp; Co over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Merck &amp; Co's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Merck &amp; Co's whale trades within a strike price range from $80.0 to $105.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Merck &amp; Co Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741114864_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$6.0</td>
<td>$5.65</td>
<td>$5.8</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$116.0K</td>
<td>10.2K</td>
<td>297</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$16.35</td>
<td>$16.15</td>
<td>$16.15</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$96.8K</td>
<td>2.9K</td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$6.5</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$6.5</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$75.4K</td>
<td>10.2K</td>
<td>967</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$1.59</td>
<td>$1.46</td>
<td>$1.59</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$55.6K</td>
<td>5.8K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$5.85</td>
<td>$5.5</td>
<td>$5.5</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$55.2K</td>
<td>3.5K</td>
<td>119</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Merck &amp; Co</h3>
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.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Merck &amp; Co, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Where Is Merck &amp; Co Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 7,710,730, the MRK's price is down by -0.3%, now at $92.87. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 51 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Merck &amp; Co</h3>
5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $108.6.
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&#x2A; An analyst from BMO Capital has decided to maintain their Market Perform rating on Merck &amp; Co, which currently sits at a price target of $96. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from B of A Securities continues to hold a Buy rating for Merck &amp; Co, targeting a price of $112. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Citigroup continues to hold a Buy rating for Merck &amp; Co, targeting a price of $115. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Guggenheim has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Merck &amp; Co, which currently sits at a price target of $115. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Deutsche Bank lowers its rating to Hold with a new price target of $105.
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Merck &amp; Co options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Spotlight on Merck & Co: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity

In light of potential tariff threats from President Donald Trump, Pfizer Inc.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) CEO Albert Bourla has suggested the possibility of shifting the company&#8217;s overseas manufacturing to its U.S. facilities.
What Happened: At the TD Cowen healthcare conference, Bourla indicated that Pfizer, which already boasts an extensive U.S. manufacturing network, could relocate production to its domestic plants to avoid any potential tariffs, reported Reuters on Monday.
His remarks come as the pharmaceutical industry braces for a possible 25% tariff on imported goods. &#8220;We&nbsp;have the capabilities here (in&nbsp;the U.S.) and the manufacturing&nbsp;sites are operating in good&nbsp;capacity right now. If something&nbsp;happens, we will try to&nbsp;mitigate it by transferring from&nbsp;manufacturing sites outside to the&nbsp;manufacturing sites here,&#8221; Bourla said.
Pfizer has 10 manufacturing facilities and two distribution centers in the United States. 
SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44092335/trumps-tariffs-threaten-canada-mexico-china-and-american-wallets"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44092335/trumps-tariffs-threaten-canada-mexico-china-and-american-wallets">Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Threaten Canada, Mexico, China — And American Wallets</a>
Why It Matters: This development follows a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/02/43906811/trump-reportedly-warns-big-pharma-move-manufacturing-to-us-or-face-tariffs">warning</a>&nbsp;from Trump to pharmaceutical companies in February. During a confidential meeting, the President urged drug companies to expedite the transfer of their overseas production to the U.S. or face the possibility of tariffs.
Among the attendees of this meeting were the CEOs of Eli Lilly &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), Merck &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), and Pfizer, along with the head of the industry's largest lobbying group. The executives aimed to convince Trump to support measures targeting middlemen blamed for increasing out-of-pocket costs and to limit a law allowing the federal government to negotiate specific drug prices.
Though the Trump administration has hinted at possible exemptions to reciprocal tariffs for certain sectors, including pharmaceuticals, a final decision is yet to be made.
While many see reshoring as a potential solution to avoid tariffs, it may not be pragmatic. Independent healthcare analyst Joshua P. Cohen wrote in Forbes, &#8220;..this takes time and is logistically complex.&#8221; He stated that generic products might call for volume purchase guarantees, and a public-private partnership may be required to boost infrastructure and regulatory compliance. &#8220;Whether the Trump administration is prepared to co-invest in a long-term strategy remains to be seen,&#8221; says Cohen.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/03/44100560/reddit-co-founder-alexis-ohanian-joins-frank-mccourts-tiktok-bid-amid-competition-from-mrbeast-jesse-tinsley-and-reid-rasner">Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian Joins Frank McCourt&#8217;s TikTok Bid Amid Competition From MrBeast, Jesse Tinsley, And Reid Rasner</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Pfizer CEO Says Company May Shift Overseas Manufacturing To US Amid Looming Tariff Threats: 'Will The Trump Administration Co-Invest', Asks Analyst

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Merck &amp; Co.
Looking at options history for Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) we detected 9 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 66% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 22% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $69,435 and 7, calls, for a total amount of $1,203,898.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $85.0 to $95.0 for Merck &amp; Co during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Merck &amp; Co stands at 8273.17, with a total volume reaching 10,621.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Merck &amp; Co, situated within the strike price corridor from $85.0 to $95.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Merck &amp; Co 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740681954_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$3.75</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$443.5K</td>
<td>12.3K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$3.4</td>
<td>$3.5</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$351.0K</td>
<td>12.3K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$2.35</td>
<td>$2.15</td>
<td>$2.35</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$234.5K</td>
<td>10.7K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$1.73</td>
<td>$1.7</td>
<td>$1.72</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$49.3K</td>
<td>6.3K</td>
<td>823</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$11.6</td>
<td>$11.25</td>
<td>$11.6</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$46.4K</td>
<td>307</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Merck &amp; Co</h3>
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.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Merck &amp; Co, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Where Is Merck &amp; Co Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 4,348,312, the price of MRK is up by 0.87%, reaching $90.16.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 56 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Merck &amp; Co</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $108.6.
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&#x2A; An analyst from Citigroup persists with their Buy rating on Merck &amp; Co, maintaining a target price of $115. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Deutsche Bank downgraded its rating to Hold, setting a price target of $105. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from BMO Capital continues to hold a Market Perform rating for Merck &amp; Co, targeting a price of $96. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from B of A Securities keeps a Buy rating on Merck &amp; Co with a target price of $112. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Guggenheim persists with their Buy rating on Merck &amp; Co, maintaining a target price of $115. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Merck &amp; Co options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Decoding Merck & Co's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

Merck (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for priority review a new supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) seeking approval for KEYTRUDA&#xAE; (pembrolizumab), Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, for the treatment of patients with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) as neoadjuvant treatment, then continued as adjuvant treatment in combination with standard of care radiotherapy with or without cisplatin and then as a single agent. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of June 23, 2025.
The sBLA is based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 trial. Results from a pre-specified first interim analysis, which will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting, showed that in patients with resectable LA-HNSCC, the KEYTRUDA perioperative treatment regimen demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in event-free survival (EFS) compared to adjuvant radiotherapy (with or without cisplatin) alone. The study also showed a statistically significant improvement in major pathological response (mPR), a key secondary endpoint, for patients in the KEYTRUDA arm compared with adjuvant radiotherapy alone. The safety profile of KEYTRUDA was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified.

Government

Regulations

Merck's Keytruda Gains FDA Priority Review for Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

President Donald Trump reportedly issued a stringent warning to pharmaceutical companies, advising them to repatriate their manufacturing to the U.S. or face the possibility of tariffs.
What Happened: During a confidential meeting, Trump alerted drug companies about the impending tariffs, urging them to hasten the transfer of their overseas production to the U.S., reported <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-21/trump-told-drugmakers-to-move-production-to-us-or-face-tariffs">Bloomberg</a> on Friday.
On Thursday, the CEO of Eli Lilly &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) David Ricks, CEO of Merck &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) Robert Davis, CEO OF Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) Albert Bourla, and Stephen Ubl, head of the industry&#8217;s largest lobbying group met Trump at the White House. The executives aimed to persuade Trump to back efforts to limit a law permitting the federal government to negotiate specific drug prices and to support measures targeting middlemen whom the industry holds responsible for increasing out-of-pocket costs.
As per the Bloomberg report, Trump did not assure to advocate with Congress to alleviate a drug pricing program established under former President Joe Biden&#8216;s tenure, a relief that the pharmaceutical sector has been seeking.
Medicare officials confirmed on Friday that the next phase of the drug pricing negotiation program&nbsp;is due and would include Novo Nordisk&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) blockbuster weight loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy. 
Meanwhile, Trump stated that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his nominee for leading Medicare and Medicaid, Mehmet Oz, are working to reduce drug prices.
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/02/43904842/dominos-gears-up-for-q4-print-here-are-the-recent-forecast-changes-from-wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts">Domino&#8217;s Gears Up For Q4 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts</a>
Why It Matters: Last week, Trump proposed to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43805852/trump-shakes-global-trade-with-25-auto-chip-and-pharma-tariffs-announcement-asian-stocks-pare-their-five-day-rally">impose a 25% tariff </a>on pharmaceuticals imported to the U.S. This latest move by Trump is not surprising given his previous confrontations with the pharmaceutical industry. During his first term, he even accused them at one point of &#8220;getting away with murder&#8221; with their drug pricing. 
ING Bank estimates that the U.S. imported nearly 36% of the drugs in 2024 with Ireland, Germany, and Switzerland being the top importers. Meanwhile, data from the Atlantic Council shows that U.S. imports of Chinese drugs surged 485% between 2020-2022.&nbsp;Following Trump&#8217;s latest warning to drugmakers to shift production in the U.S., Chinese biotech shares have taken a hit during their Asian trading session today. Shares of WuXi Biologics (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WXXWY#OTC">WXXWY</a>), WuXi AppTec (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WUXAY#OTC">WUXAY</a>) and Pharmaron Beijing (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHBBF#OTC">PHBBF</a>) witnessed significant declines. 
That being said, ING asserted that Trump&#8217;s call for expanding U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing is justified, as a report from the Biden administration had indicated that capacity restrictions were the cause of drug shortages. However, a 2022 report by Washington University&nbsp;revealed that the capacity expansion would take between two to three years. 
<ul>
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43901182/bernie-sanders-warns-if-elon-musk-can-fire-hundreds-of-thousands-of-federal-employees-imagine-what-hell-do-to-private-sector-workers">Bernie Sanders Warns: If Elon Musk Can Fire Hundreds Of Thousands Of Federal Employees, Imagine What He&#8217;ll Do To Private Sector Workers</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Politics

PHBBF

WUXAY

WXXWY

Trump Reportedly Warns Big Pharma: Move Manufacturing To US Or Face Tariffs

Investors are scrambling to assess the potential fallout of yet <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">another tectonic trade decision</a>. 
What Happened: President Donald Trump plans to impose a 25% levy on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43805852/trump-shakes-global-trade-with-25-auto-chip-and-pharma-tariffs-announcement-asian-stocks-pare-their-five-day-rally">auto, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical imports</a>,
This move could have far-reaching consequences for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETFs with heavy exposure to these sectors</a>, particularly those tracking automakers, chipmakers, and biotech firms.
Trump's protectionist stance triggered an immediate market response across the global markets. Asian stocks retreated after a five-day rally, with the MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipping, particularly affecting Japanese automakers like Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>).
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43795579/warren-buffett-unfazed-by-trumps-tariff-threats-oracle-of-omaha-bets-on-mexico-beer">Warren Buffett Unfazed By Trump&#8217;s Tariff Threats: Oracle Of Omaha Bets On Mexico, Beer</a>
Automakers: The U.S. imported around 8 million passenger cars and light trucks last year, comprising 50% of total vehicle sales, according to a report by Wall Street Journal. A 25% tariff would increase vehicle prices, impact supply chains, and hurt companies dependent on overseas manufacturing. 
Here are a few ETFs likely to take a hit:
<ul>
<li>Global X Autonomous &amp; Electric Vehicles ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DRIV#NASDAQ">DRIV</a>): Fairly exposed to Toyota, Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), and Ford (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>), this fund could face turbulence as trade tensions mount.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CARZ#NASDAQ">CARZ</a>): Tracks major global automakers, including BMW, Honda, and General Motors (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), which rely on imported parts. The ETF also has significant exposure to Toyota and Tesla and allocates 46% of its assets to overseas stocks. That places it in a precarious position amid escalating tariff situations.</li>
</ul>
Chips: Trump also declared that sectoral tariffs on semiconductors would start at "25% or higher", escalating further over time. This comes as the U.S. considers a 100% tariff on Taiwanese semiconductors, an industry heavily reliant on TSMC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).
<ul>
<li>iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) – With Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), and Broadcom (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) among its top holdings, this fund is exposed to volatility stemming from supply chain disruptions.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMH#NASDAQ">SMH</a>) – Heavily weighted towards TSMC, Intel (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), and Qualcomm (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>), making it vulnerable to any tariff escalation.</li>
</ul>
Pharma: The pharmaceutical sector is also caught in the crosshairs, with Trump hinting at escalating tariffs beyond 25% over the year. This could upend drug pricing, R&amp;D costs, and supply chain dynamics for major biopharma companies.
<ul>
<li>iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>): Tracks major drugmakers like Pfizer (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), Merck (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), and Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), all of which could see higher costs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>SPDR S&amp;P Biotech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XBI#NYSE">XBI</a>): While biotech firms often have global R&amp;D operations, increased tariffs could disrupt access to imported drug components.</li>
</ul>
Why It Matters: Trump has long voiced concerns over U.S. automotive exports being treated unfairly abroad. In his first term, he threatened a similar 25% car tariff but ultimately backed down.
For ETF investors, volatility is back on the table. Those holding funds exposed to autos, chips, and pharmaceuticals must brace for a bumpy ride. While Trump believes the move will bring manufacturing back home, the short-term pain could be severe.
The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. companies may receive a phase-in period, with tariffs increasing over the course of the year.
What's Next: Markets will be watching closely as April 2 (when auto tariffs are expected to kick in) approaches. Any delays or modifications to the tariff plan could shift investor sentiment. 
For now, ETF traders should keep an eye on sectoral rotation, hedge exposure where necessary, and prepare for the potential impact of another round of trade wars.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/02/43794873/vanguard-overtakes-state-street-as-top-etf-provider-3-funds-in-focus">Vanguard Overtakes State Street As Top ETF Provider: 3 Funds In Focus</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

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Trade War Redux: These ETFs Due For Bumpy Ride Thanks To Trump Tariffs On Auto, Pharma, Chip Imports

Merck &amp; Co's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) short percent of float has fallen 13.33% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 29.60 million shares sold short, which is 1.17% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.36 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Merck &amp; Co Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739906112_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Merck &amp; Co has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Merck &amp; Co's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Merck &amp; Co's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.05%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Looking Into Merck & Co's Recent Short Interest

On Tuesday, the European Commission (EC) conditionally approved Merck&nbsp;&amp; Co Inc&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) Welireg&nbsp;(belzutifan), an oral hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/b43776493/welireg-belzutifan-receives-first-european-commission-approval-for-two-indications" rel="noreferrer noopener">as monotherapy for</a>:
<ul>
<li>Adult patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease who require therapy for associated, localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastomas, or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET), and for whom localized procedures are unsuitable;</li>
<li>Adult patients with advanced clear cell RCC that progressed following two or more lines of therapy.</li>
</ul>
The approval of these two indications is based on results from the LITESPARK-004 and LITESPARK-005 trials, respectively.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/02/43504863/analysts-defend-merck-amid-investor-concerns-over-weak-guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analysts Defend Merck Amid Investor Concerns Over Weak Guidance</a>
This marks Welireg&#8217;s first approval in the European Union (EU). Welireg is now approved in over 30 countries for certain adult patients with previously treated advanced RCC and in more than 40 countries for adult patients with certain eligible VHL disease-associated tumors.
The conditional approval of Welireg will be valid for one year, subject to yearly renewal, pending additional clinical data from LITESPARK-004 and another ongoing Phase 2 trial of WELIREG in patients with certain VHL disease-associated tumors.
The FDA approved Welireg in <a target="_blank" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merck.com%2Fnews%2Ffda-approves-mercks-hypoxia-inducible-factor-2-alpha-hif-2%25CE%25B1-inhibitor-welireg-belzutifan-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-certain-types-of-von-hippel-lindau-vhl-disease%2F&amp;esheet=54207599&amp;newsitemid=20250218626672&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=August+2021&amp;index=2&amp;md5=a3a0cf44dc5eb37aa0addd825cbd6482" rel="noreferrer noopener">August 2021</a> for adult patients with VHL disease who require therapy for associated RCC, CNS hemangioblastomas or pNET not requiring immediate surgery based on the results from LITESPARK-004.
Welireg was approved in the U.S. in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merck.com%2Fnews%2Ffda-approves-mercks-welireg-belzutifan-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-advanced-renal-cell-carcinoma-rcc-following-a-pd-1-or-pd-l1-inhibitor-and-a-vegf-tki%2F&amp;esheet=54207599&amp;newsitemid=20250218626672&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=December+2023&amp;index=3&amp;md5=d079c702147c148646033ef950434190" rel="noreferrer noopener">December 2023</a> for adult patients with advanced RCC following a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor and a VEGF-tyrosine kinase inhibitor based on the results from LITESPARK-005.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Merck Stock Prediction For 2025</h2>
Equity research analysts on and off Wall Street typically use earnings growth and fundamental research as a form of valuation and forecasting. But many in trading turn to technical analysis as a way to form predictive models for share price trajectory.
Some investors look to trends to help forecast where they believe a stock could trade at a certain point in the future. Looking at Merck, an investor could make an assessment about a stock's long term prospects using a moving average and trend line. If they believe a stock will remain above the moving average, which many believe is a bullish signal, they can extrapolate that trend into the future using a trend line. For Merck &amp; Co, the 200-day moving average sits at $112.21, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, which is above the current price of $81.79. For more on charts and trend lines, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">see a description here.</a>
Traders believe that when a stock is above its moving average, it is a generally bullish signal, and when it crosses below, it is a more negative signal. Investors could use trend lines to make an educated guess about where a stock could trade at a later date if conditions remain stable.
Price Action: MRK stock is down 1.30% to $81.93 at the last check on Tuesday.
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Photo courtesy of Merck.

Eurozone

Europe Approves Merck's Cancer Drug For Two Indications

Merck Vaccine Case With Ties to HHS Secretary Kennedy Delayed; Merck Agrees To Halt Ongoing Trial Over HPV Vaccine In Los Angeles Superior Court; Merck And Plaintiff Suing Over Alleged Gardasil Vaccine Injuries Agree To Delay Trial Until September 2025 With New Jury

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades, downgrades and initiations, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Craig Hettenbach downgraded the rating for Hims &amp; Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>) from Overweight to Equal-Weight and raised the price target from $42 to $60. Hims &amp; Hers Health shares closed at $60.47 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HIMS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Deutsche Bank analyst James Shin downgraded the rating for Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) from Buy to Hold and lowered the price target from $128 to $105. Merck shares closed at $83.01 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MRK/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Wolfe Research analyst Alex Zukin downgraded Datadog, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DDOG#NASDAQ">DDOG</a>) from Outperform to Peer Perform. Datadog shares closed at $131.01 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DDOG/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Barclays analyst Gena Wang downgraded the rating for Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) from Overweight to Equal-Weight and lowered the price target from $111 to $45. Moderna shares closed at $32.99 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MRNA/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Ladenburg Thalmann analyst Paul Fremont downgraded Portland General Electric Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/POR#NYSE">POR</a>) from Buy to Neutral. Portland Gen Electric shares closed at $41.64 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/POR/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
Considering buying MRNA stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="551" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/18085802/image-153-1024x551.png" alt="" class="wp-image-786944" style="width:580px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/18085802/image-153-1024x551.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/18085802/image-153-300x161.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/18085802/image-153-768x413.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/18085802/image-153.png 1108w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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This Moderna Analyst Is No Longer Bullish; Here Are Top 5 Downgrades For Tuesday

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Jefferies raised Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WYNN#NASDAQ">WYNN</a>) price target from $105 to $118. Jefferies analyst David Katz upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy. Wynn Resorts shares closed at $88.82 on Friday. See how other analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WYNN/analyst-ratings">view </a>this stock.</li>
<li>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods increased the price target for Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BHF#NASDAQ">BHF</a>) from $60 to $66. Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Ryan Krueger maintained a Market Perform rating. Brighthouse Financial shares closed at $62.14 on Friday. See how other analysts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BHF/analyst-ratings">view </a>this stock.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley raised Hims &amp; Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>) price target from $42 to $60. Morgan Stanley analyst Craig Hettenbach downgraded the stock from Overweight to Equal-Weight. Hims &amp; Hers Health shares closed at $60.47 on Friday. See how other <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/HIMS/analyst-ratings">analysts </a>view this stock.</li>
<li>Needham raised the price target for DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DKNG#NASDAQ">DKNG</a>) from $60 to $65. Needham analyst Bernie McTernan maintained a Buy rating. DraftKings shares closed at $53.49 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DKNG/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>JP Morgan raised the price target for Bath &amp; Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBWI#NYSE">BBWI</a>) from $41 to $47. JP Morgan analyst Matthew Boss upgraded the stock from Neutral to Overweight. Bath &amp; Body Works shares closed at $36.47 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BBWI/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>HC Wainwright &amp; Co. cut Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OTLK#NASDAQ">OTLK</a>) price target from $30 to $3. HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Douglas Tsao maintained a Buy rating. Outlook Therapeutics shares settled at $1.87 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/OTLK/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Canaccord Genuity increased Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALNY#NASDAQ">ALNY</a>) price target from $384 to $385. Canaccord Genuity analyst Whitney Ijem maintained a Buy rating. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals shares closed at $256.45 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ALNY/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods raised Coinbase Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>) price target from $255 to $305. Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Kyle Voigt maintained a Market Perform rating. Coinbase shares closed at $274.31 on Friday.  <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/COIN/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>B of A Securities cut the price target for Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>) from $155 to $150. B of A Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan maintained a Buy rating. Dell shares settled at $114.38 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DELL/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Deutsche Bank cut Merck &amp; Co., Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) price target from $128 to $105. Deutsche Bank analyst James Shin downgraded the stock from Buy to Hold. Merck shares closed at $83.01 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/mrk/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
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Coinbase To Rally Over 11%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Tuesday

13 analysts have expressed a variety of opinions on Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) over the past quarter, offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets assessed by analysts reveal further insights, featuring an average target of $112.46, a high estimate of $125.00, and a low estimate of $96.00. Observing a downward trend, the current average is 9.49% lower than the prior average price target of $124.25. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739883670_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Analyzing Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Breakdown</h2>
The perception of Merck &amp; Co by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>James Shin</td>
<td>Deutsche Bank</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$128.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vamil Divan</td>
<td>Guggenheim</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$122.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tim Anderson</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$112.00</td>
<td>$118.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Evan David Seigerman</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$96.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Baum</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terence Flynn</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$106.00</td>
<td>$113.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Baum</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terence Flynn</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$113.00</td>
<td>$123.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Daina Graybosch</td>
<td>Leerink Partners</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$119.00</td>
<td>$136.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colin Bristow</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robyn Karnauskas</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Evan David Seigerman</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$136.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tim Anderson</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$121.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Merck &amp; Co. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Merck &amp; Co compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Merck &amp; Co's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into Merck &amp; Co's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MRK/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Merck &amp; Co analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>About Merck &amp; Co</h2>
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.
<h3>Merck &amp; Co: A Financial Overview</h3>
Market Capitalization: Exceeding industry standards, the company's market capitalization places it above industry average in size relative to peers. This emphasizes its significant scale and robust market position.
Revenue Growth: Merck &amp; Co's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 4.35%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Health Care sector.
Net Margin: Merck &amp; Co's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 18.95%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Merck &amp; Co's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of 7.17%, the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 2.74%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, Merck &amp; Co adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Beyond The Numbers: 13 Analysts Discuss Merck & Co Stock

Deutsche Bank analyst James Shin downgrades Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) from Buy to Hold and lowers the price target from $128 to $105.

Deutsche Bank Downgrades Merck & Co to Hold, Lowers Price Target to $105

Legal

Press Releases

ROSEN, LEADING INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Merck & Co., Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – MRK

Merck Unveils New Facility to Increase Vaccine Production Capacity

INVESTOR ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of Merck & Co.

INVESTOR ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Reminds Investors with Losses on their Investment in Merck & Co., Inc. of Class Action Lawsuit and Upcoming Deadlines - MRK

Class Action Filed Against Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) - April 14, 2025 Deadline to Join - Contact Levi & Korsinsky

Merck Announces Positive Data from Phase 3 Trials that Show the Investigational, Once-Daily, Oral, Two-Drug Regimen of Doravirine/Islatravir (DOR/ISL) Maintained HIV-1 Viral Suppression at Week 48

DEADLINE ALERT for ICLR, ESTC, FMC, MRK: Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Reminds Investors of Opportunity to Lead Securities Fraud Class Actions

Merck & Co., Inc. Class Action: The Gross Law Firm Reminds Merck Investors of the Pending Class Action Lawsuit with a Lead Plaintiff Deadline of April 14, 2025 - MRK

Contact Levi & Korsinsky by April 14, 2025 Deadline to Join Class Action Against Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK)

Merck & Co (MRK) Investors Who Lost Money Have Opportunity to Lead Securities Fraud Lawsuit

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Screenshot 2024-09-30 at 9.13.36 PM

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The Rush For Non-Addictive Painkillers To Counter The Opioid Crisis Puts Two Companies Closer To FDA Decisions

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Nestle Sponsored representing Registered Shares Series B

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How Cosmos Health&#39;s Acquisition Of Almost 100-Year-Old Company, Adding To Capabilities Like Contract Manufacturing, Could Generate Over $10 Million In Annual Gross Profit

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