Across the recent three months, 12 analysts have shared their insights on Merck & Co MRK, expressing a variety of opinions spanning from bullish to bearish.
In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months.
| Bullish | Somewhat Bullish | Indifferent | Somewhat Bearish | Bearish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Ratings | 5 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Last 30D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1M Ago | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2M Ago | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3M Ago | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Merck & Co, presenting an average target of $120.17, a high estimate of $136.00, and a low estimate of $105.00. A decline of 9.09% from the prior average price target is evident in the current average.
Diving into Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Exploration
The standing of Merck & Co among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
| Analyst | Analyst Firm | Action Taken | Rating | Current Price Target | Prior Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Baum | Citigroup | Lowers | Buy | $125.00 | $130.00 |
| Terence Flynn | Morgan Stanley | Lowers | Equal-Weight | $113.00 | $123.00 |
| Daina Graybosch | Leerink Partners | Lowers | Outperform | $119.00 | $136.00 |
| Colin Bristow | UBS | Lowers | Buy | $120.00 | $125.00 |
| Robyn Karnauskas | Truist Securities | Lowers | Hold | $110.00 | $130.00 |
| Evan David Seigerman | BMO Capital | Lowers | Market Perform | $105.00 | $136.00 |
| Tim Anderson | B of A Securities | Announces | Buy | $121.00 | - |
| Robyn Karnauskas | Truist Securities | Lowers | Buy | $130.00 | $132.00 |
| Seamus Fernandez | Guggenheim | Lowers | Buy | $130.00 | $137.00 |
| Mohit Bansal | Wells Fargo | Lowers | Equal-Weight | $110.00 | $125.00 |
| Evan David Seigerman | BMO Capital | Lowers | Outperform | $136.00 | $150.00 |
| Terence Flynn | Morgan Stanley | Lowers | Equal-Weight | $123.00 | $130.00 |
Key Insights:
- Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Merck & Co. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.
- Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Merck & Co compared to the broader market.
- Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Merck & Co's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of Merck & Co's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
Stay up to date on Merck & Co analyst ratings.
Unveiling the Story Behind 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.
Merck & Co: Delving into Financials
Market Capitalization Analysis: With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Merck & Co showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 4.35% as of 30 September, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Health Care sector.
Net Margin: Merck & 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): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 7.17%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Merck & Co's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 2.74%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.86.
Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings
Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
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