Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 16 analysts have published ratings on Merck & Co MRK in the last three months.
The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
| Bullish | Somewhat Bullish | Indifferent | Somewhat Bearish | Bearish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Ratings | 3 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Last 30D | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1M Ago | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2M Ago | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3M Ago | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Merck & Co, revealing an average target of $134.88, a high estimate of $148.00, and a low estimate of $104.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 3.66% increase from the previous average price target of $130.12.
Analyzing Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Breakdown
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Merck & Co by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
| Analyst | Analyst Firm | Action Taken | Rating | Current Price Target | Prior Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louise Chen | Cantor Fitzgerald | Maintains | Overweight | $135.00 | - |
| Robyn Karnauskas | Truist Securities | Raises | Buy | $142.00 | $139.00 |
| Louise Chen | Cantor Fitzgerald | Maintains | Overweight | $135.00 | - |
| Mohit Bansal | Wells Fargo | Raises | Equal-Weight | $135.00 | $130.00 |
| Justin Smith | Societe Generale | Announces | Sell | $104.00 | - |
| Louise Chen | Cantor Fitzgerald | Maintains | Overweight | $135.00 | - |
| Louise Chen | Cantor Fitzgerald | Maintains | Overweight | $135.00 | - |
| Louise Chen | Cantor Fitzgerald | Maintains | Overweight | $135.00 | - |
| Louise Chen | Cantor Fitzgerald | Maintains | Overweight | $135.00 | - |
| Robyn Karnauskas | Truist Securities | Raises | Buy | $139.00 | $122.00 |
| Colin Bristow | UBS | Raises | Buy | $148.00 | $135.00 |
| Mohit Bansal | Wells Fargo | Raises | Equal-Weight | $130.00 | $125.00 |
| Carter Gould | Barclays | Raises | Overweight | $145.00 | $135.00 |
| Carter Gould | Barclays | Raises | Overweight | $135.00 | $130.00 |
| Louise Chen | Cantor Fitzgerald | Maintains | Overweight | $135.00 | - |
| Steve Scala | TD Cowen | Raises | Outperform | $135.00 | $125.00 |
Key Insights:
- Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Merck & Co. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.
- Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Merck & Co compared to the broader market.
- Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Merck & Co's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.
Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of Merck & Co's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table.
Stay up to date on Merck & Co analyst ratings.
All You Need to Know About 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.
A Deep Dive into Merck & Co's Financials
Market Capitalization Analysis: With a profound presence, the company's market capitalization is above industry averages. This reflects substantial size and strong market recognition.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Merck & Co's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 5.78% as of 31 December, 2023, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Health Care sector.
Net Margin: Merck & Co's net margin is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of -8.38%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Merck & Co's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of -3.11%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Merck & Co's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -1.15%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Merck & Co's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.93.
The Basics of Analyst Ratings
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.
Analysts may supplement their ratings with predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, offering investors a more comprehensive outlook. However, investors should be mindful that analysts, like any human, can have subjective perspectives influencing their forecasts.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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