Merck & Co Option Alert: Jul 18 $100 Calls at the Bid: 2350 vs 2209 OI

Merck & Co Option Alert: Jul 18 $100 Calls at the Bid: 2350 @ $2.4 vs 2209 OI; Ref=$89.04

Merck & Co Option Alert: Mar 21 $110 Puts Sweep (5) near the midpoint: 390 vs 1391 OI

Merck & Co Option Alert: Mar 21 $110 Puts Sweep (5) near the midpoint: 390 @ $21.625 vs 1391 OI; Ref=$88.94

Merck & Co Option Alert: Jul 18 $110 Calls Sweep (37) above Ask!: 20000 vs 21539 OI

Merck & Co Option Alert: Jul 18 $110 Calls Sweep (37) above Ask!: 20000 @ $0.511 vs 21539 OI; Ref=$84.865

Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) Stock

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.

CSCO


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DRIV

iShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals Index Fund

INTC

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iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

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Trump&#39;s proposed 25% tariffs on auto, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical imports have rattled markets and could affect ETFs with heavy exposure to these sectors.

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

Headquarters_Rahway-Site-Entrance_HI

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Merck&#39;s Welireg receives conditional EU approval for VHL disease-associated tumors and advanced RCC, expanding its global presence across 30+ countries.

Europe Approves Merck&#39;s Cancer Drug For Two Indications

Merck & Co Inc

Marker Therapeutics Inc

MARKY CORP by MARKY CORP.

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.
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Photo: Shutterstock

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.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Trading Ideas

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.

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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Downgrades

Pre-Market Outlook

Markets

Analyst Ratings

DDOG

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Class A Common Stock

HIMS

MRNA

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>
</ul>
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</ul>

Price Target

ALNY

BBWI

Brighthouse Financial, Inc. - Common Stock

COIN

DELL

DKNG

OTLK

WYNN

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

<ul>
<li>The treatment of 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>The treatment of adult patients with advanced clear cell RCC that progressed following two or more lines of therapy that included a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor and at least two vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeted therapies.</li>
</ul>

European Commission Conditionally Approves Merck's WELIREG As Monotherapy For Adults With von Hippel-Lindau And Advanced Clear Cell RCC

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has called out the tax reduction plans of the Donald Trump-led administration in an X post, terming them as an &#8220;absolutely shameless giveaway,&#8221; that could shoot up the deficit by $4.6 trillion.
What Happened: The possible tax cuts for rich individuals and lower corporate tax rates are likely to widen the U.S. trade deficit, which the Trump 2.0 administration would most likely fund from the tariffs imposed on its trading partners.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Trump wants to extend his tax cuts for rich individuals, which would add $4.6T to the deficit. But he wants to go even further, cutting the corporate tax rate to 15%. It&#39;s yet another absolutely shameless giveaway. <a href="https://t.co/mkAWOFkkUd">pic.twitter.com/mkAWOFkkUd</a>
&mdash; Robert Reich (@RBReich) <a href="https://twitter.com/RBReich/status/1891623719304339516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
The data from the Center For American Progress Action Fund or CAPAF shows that cutting the corporate tax rate down to 15% would save all sectors and companies billions of dollars in tax.
<ul>
<li>Top 100 U.S. Companies: Can expect a total annual tax cut of $48 billion despite reporting $1.1 trillion in profits in their 2023 annual report.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Top 10 U.S. Companies: Reported more than $520 billion in profits according to their 2023 annual report can expect an annual tax cut of $23 billion. These include firms like Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>), and JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Oil: The five largest U.S. oil companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>), Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>), Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>), Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>), and Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VLO#NYSE">VLO</a>) will receive an estimated $2.2 billion annual tax cut, despite over $80 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Pharma: The five largest U.S. drug makers, Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Merck &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>) will receive an estimated $3.1 billion annual tax cut, despite over $50 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Banking: The five largest Wall Street banks, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) will receive an estimated $4.1 billion annual tax cut, despite nearly $113 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Grocery: The five largest grocery companies, Kroger Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KR#NYSE">KR</a>), Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>), Albertsons Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACI#NYSE">ACI</a>), Target Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TGT#NYSE">TGT</a>) and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) will receive an estimated $1.7 billion annual tax cut, despite over $29 billion in profits.</li>
</ul>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43763438/trump-acting-like-a-mafia-don-says-this-economist-as-uncertainty-mounts-businesses-hold-back-in-fear-of-unforeseen-economic-shifts">Trump &#8216;Acting Like A Mafia Don,&#8217; Says This Economist As Uncertainty Mounts, Businesses Hold Back In Fear Of Unforeseen Economic Shifts</a>
Why It Matters: Trump has threatened all its trading partners with &#8220;reciprocal tariffs,&#8221; while already having implemented 25% on steel and aluminum imports.
According to economists like Craig Shapiro, who is a macro strategist at the Bear Traps Report, tariffs are the "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43587245/tariffs-are-the-only-way-to-fund-tax-cuts-without-deficit-expansion-argues-expert-as-it-takes-center-stage-in-donald-trumps-economic-plan">only way</a>" to fund tax cuts without expanding the federal deficit. 
Shapiro likened Trump&#8217;s governance to that of a &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/02/43763438/trump-acting-like-a-mafia-don-says-this-economist-as-uncertainty-mounts-businesses-hold-back-in-fear-of-unforeseen-economic-shifts">Mafia Don</a>,&#8221; saying businesses are now uncertain about the economy&#8217;s direction. He noted fading &#8220;initial euphoria&#8221; and a &#8220;wait-and-see&#8221; approach from business leaders due to unclear policies, tariffs, trade agreement uncertainty, and fluctuating government spending. &#8211;
Price Action: On Friday, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) which track the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices, closed mixed. SPY fell 0.0049% to a value of $609.7, and QQQ was up by 0.42% to end at a value of $538.15, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43773441/ahead-of-gamestops-bitcoin-purchase-plans-blackrock-morgan-stanley-goldman-sachs-and-other-billion-dollar-funds-load-up-on-gme-stock-in-q4">Ahead Of GameStop&#8217;s Bitcoin Purchase Plans, BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, And Other Billion Dollar Funds Load Up On GME Stock In Q4</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Equities

Government

Macro Notification

Economics

ABBV

CMCSA

COST

Trump's Tax Cut Could Add $4.6 Trillion To Deficit, With $48 Billion Tax Relief For Top 100 Firms: Robert Reich

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>RXRX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$8.00</td>
<td>$26.6K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td>4.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$95.5K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WST</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$192.0K</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>286</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EXAS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$153.7K</td>
<td>609</td>
<td>250</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$26.1K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
<td>216</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SWTX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$50.00</td>
<td>$56.0K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>201</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$40.1K</td>
<td>13.3K</td>
<td>156</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ARWR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$27.4K</td>
<td>385</td>
<td>110</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WGS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$77.50</td>
<td>$35.0K</td>
<td>176</td>
<td>46</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SRPT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$35.6K</td>
<td>602</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For RXRX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RXRX#NASDAQ">RXRX</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 35 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 533 contract(s) at a $8.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 19 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.6K, with a price of $50.0 per contract. There were 2587 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4649 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MRNA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 336 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 500 contract(s) at a $20.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $95.5K, with a price of $191.0 per contract. There were 1849 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2000 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For WST (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WST#NYSE">WST</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 308 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 40 contract(s) at a $200.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $192.0K, with a price of $4800.0 per contract. There were 55 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 286 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding EXAS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXAS#NASDAQ">EXAS</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 336 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 250 contract(s) at a $45.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $153.7K, with a price of $615.0 per contract. There were 609 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 250 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MRK (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 154 day(s) on July 18, 2025. This event was a transfer of 39 contract(s) at a $85.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.1K, with a price of $670.0 per contract. There were 2690 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 216 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For SWTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SWTX#NASDAQ">SWTX</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 7 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 50 contract(s) at a $50.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $56.0K, with a price of $1120.0 per contract. There were 1300 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 201 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding CVS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 35 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 59 contract(s) at a $60.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $40.1K, with a price of $680.0 per contract. There were 13329 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 156 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ARWR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARWR#NASDAQ">ARWR</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 126 day(s) on June 20, 2025. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $20.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.4K, with a price of $276.0 per contract. There were 385 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 110 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding WGS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WGS#NASDAQ">WGS</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 7 day(s) on February 21, 2025. Parties traded 35 contract(s) at a $77.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.0K, with a price of $1000.0 per contract. There were 176 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 46 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For SRPT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SRPT#NASDAQ">SRPT</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 336 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 30 contract(s) at a $100.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.6K, with a price of $1177.0 per contract. There were 602 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 30 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

ARWR

EXAS

RXRX

SRPT

SWTX

10 Health Care Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

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://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 18 uncommon options trades for Merck &amp; Co.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 72% bullish and 22%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 9 are puts, for a total amount of $683,798, and 9 are calls, for a total amount of $354,290.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $75.0 to $135.0 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 2441.71 with a total volume of 4,415.00.
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 $75.0 to $135.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Merck &amp; Co Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739476821_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</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 align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$8.4</td>
<td>$8.3</td>
<td>$8.4</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$251.1K</td>
<td>2.8K</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$9.55</td>
<td>$9.35</td>
<td>$9.35</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$93.5K</td>
<td>3.5K</td>
<td align="right">151</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$6.95</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$81.9K</td>
<td>498</td>
<td align="right">130</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$1.82</td>
<td>$1.81</td>
<td>$1.81</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$69.1K</td>
<td>13.9K</td>
<td align="right">246</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$1.76</td>
<td>$1.71</td>
<td>$1.71</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$59.8K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td align="right">352</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.
In light of the recent options history for Merck &amp; Co, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Current Position of Merck &amp; Co</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 10,802,710, the price of MRK is down by -0.75%, reaching $85.03.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 70 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Merck &amp; Co</h3>
Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $108.8.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#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; An analyst from Morgan Stanley has decided to maintain their Equal-Weight rating on Merck &amp; Co, which currently sits at a price target of $106. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Citigroup persists with their Buy rating on Merck &amp; Co, maintaining a target price of $115. 
&#x2A; An analyst from BMO Capital persists with their Market Perform rating on Merck &amp; Co, maintaining a target price 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. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Merck &amp; Co, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

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

Rumors

INCY

Watching Incyte Shares, Hearing M&A Blog Mentions Merck As Potential Buyer

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to confirm President Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43306674/trumps-hhs-pick-robert-kennedy-jr-begins-senate-confirmation-hearings">Health and Human Services.&nbsp;</a>
The Details: The Senate voted 52 to 48 to confirm Kennedy as health secretary, with Sen. Mitch McConnell as the only Republican who voted "no." All Democrats voted against the nomination. 
As secretary of health, Kennedy will oversee several critical health agencies including the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.&nbsp;
Kennedy takes the helm of the nation's health systems as health care costs are soaring and bird flu is spreading through wild birds and poultry farms, with the potential for a pandemic if the virus evolves to transmit between humans. 
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43663963/record-high-egg-prices-drive-inflation-higher-in-january">Record-High Egg Prices Drive Inflation Higher In January</a>
What To Watch: During his Senate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/01/43321236/rfk-jr-and-big-pharma-stocks-to-watch-as-health-secretary-hopeful-answers-pointed-questions-on-drugs-insurance-trump-exec-orders">hearings in January</a>, Kennedy called out &#8220;rapacious behavior by insurance companies" and suggested he would support efforts to crack down on abusive tactics like denying care and overcharging the government.
Some insurers tied to Medicaid and Medicare are UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), the largest Medicare Advantage insurer in the U.S., and Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>), one of the largest Medicaid managed care organizations.&nbsp;
Kennedy has been an outspoken skeptic on vaccines for decades and pharmaceutical stocks could be affected by potential policy changes under his leadership. Some of the largest pharmaceutical companies that produce vaccines are Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>), Merck &amp; Company, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) and Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>)&nbsp;
While campaigning for president in 2024, Kennedy <a href="https://x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1804923391595696553">wrote a post</a> on social media doubting the safety and efficacy of bird flu vaccines in particular.&nbsp;
&#8220;There is no evidence these vaccines will work, and they appear to be dangerous,&#8221; Kennedy wrote.&nbsp;
He also attempted to push a conspiracy theory that stated deadly bird flu strains were being engineered in government labs in order to create a market for pharmaceutical companies to profit from vaccines. 
&#8220;We already know our public health agencies are out of control.&nbsp; We have to stop the runaway gain-of-function experiments and the highly lucrative pandemic vaccine experiments right now,&#8221; he wrote.&nbsp;
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/02/43535256/palantir-adds-elon-musks-ai-chatbot-grok-to-aip">Palantir Adds Elon Musk&#8217;s AI Chatbot Grok To AIP</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock.

Regulations

Politics

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Guggenheim analyst Vamil Divan 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 $122 to $115.

Guggenheim Maintains Buy on Merck & Co, Lowers Price Target to $115

This $15M payment marks the second milestone achieved in the collaboration with Merck. Under the agreement, Neuphoria is eligible to receive up to $450M in additional milestone payments for certain development and commercial milestones associated with the progress of multiple candidates plus royalties on net sales of any licensed medicines.

NEUP

Neuphoria Achieves $15M Milestone In Merck Partnership With Launch Of Phase 2 Clinical Trial

Records from February 10, 2025 indicate that Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey made a sale of Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), valued between $54,040 and $635,000, with the transaction dated February 10, 2025 and filed in February.
As of now, Merck &amp; Co shares are trading down 0.38% at $86.08.
Want to keep up with Josh Gottheimer and other congressional members' stock activities? Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/gov-trades/members/josh-gottheimer">government trades tool</a> for real-time updates!
<h3>Why Congressional Transactions Matter</h3>
A congressional transaction is when any representative or senator either buys or sells an individual stock.
Anyone working in Congress must file a Periodic Transaction Report to inform the public of their recent transaction within 30 days of being notified of the transaction and within 45 days of the transaction date.
In April 2012, Former President Barack Obama signed the STOCK Act into law. The act prohibits members of Congress from using private information given to them by their position for personal gain such as buying or selling a stock. The act also expanded disclosure requirements for members of Congress by requiring them to file a monthly disclosure.
<h3>Why Congressional Transactions Matter</h3>
Congressional transactions shouldn't be the primary reason for an investing decision, but they can be an important factor for an investor to consider.
When a senator or representative makes a new purchase, it could be an indication they expect the stock to rise.
A sale, on the other hand, can be made for a variety of reasons, and may not necessarily mean the seller thinks the stock will go down.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Recent Filing Shows That Rep. Josh Gottheimer Sold Over $54K Worth of Merck & Co Stock

Health Canada Has Approved Merck's Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) For Adult Patients With Resectable Stage II, IIIA, or IIIB (T3-4N2) Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma In Combination With Platinum-Containing Chemotherapy As Neoadjuvant Treatment, And Then Continued As Monotherapy As Adjuvant Treatment After Surgery

<a href="https://www.eqs-news.com/news/ad-hoc/merck-kgaa-merck-kgaa-confirms-discussions-with-springworks-therapeutics-inc-on-potential-acquisition/347bfb1b-819d-4d8f-8a3e-4fd6092643e8" title="https://www.eqs-news.com/news/ad-hoc/merck-kgaa-merck-kgaa-confirms-discussions-with-springworks-therapeutics-inc-on-potential-acquisition/347bfb1b-819d-4d8f-8a3e-4fd6092643e8">https://www.eqs-news.com/news/ad-hoc/merck-kgaa-merck-kgaa-confirms-discussions-with-springworks-therapeutics-inc-on-potential-acquisition/347bfb1b-819d-4d8f-8a3e-4fd6092643e8</a>

Merck KGAA Confirms Discussions With Springworks Therapeutics On Potential Acquisition

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Merck &amp; Co. Our analysis of options history for Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) revealed 32 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 50% of traders were bullish, while 28% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 23 were puts, with a value of $1,297,100, and 9 were calls, valued at $1,143,483.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $75.0 to $100.0 for Merck &amp; Co over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
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 activity within a strike price range from $75.0 to $100.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Merck &amp; Co Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738874727_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</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>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$1.95</td>
<td>$1.63</td>
<td>$1.64</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$686.3K</td>
<td>3.5K</td>
<td>4.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$8.8</td>
<td>$8.7</td>
<td>$8.75</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$198.8K</td>
<td>4.6K</td>
<td>2.9K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$10.3</td>
<td>$10.2</td>
<td>$10.3</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$104.0K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td>123</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$3.35</td>
<td>$3.25</td>
<td>$3.35</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$100.1K</td>
<td>424</td>
<td>300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$8.85</td>
<td>$8.8</td>
<td>$8.83</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$99.0K</td>
<td>4.6K</td>
<td>3.1K</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 volume of 12,212,671, the price of MRK is down -1.44% at $88.38. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 77 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Merck &amp; Co</h3>
5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $114.0.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from Truist Securities lowers its rating to Hold with a new price target of $110. 
&#x2A; An analyst from UBS has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Merck &amp; Co, which currently sits at a price target of $120. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Leerink Partners has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on Merck &amp; Co, which currently sits at a price target of $119. 
&#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 Citigroup keeps a Buy rating on Merck &amp; Co with a target price of $125. 
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://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Market Whales and Their Recent Bets on MRK Options

Press Releases

Merck & Co., Inc. Sued for Securities Law Violations - Contact The Gross Law Firm Before April 14, 2025 to Discuss Your Rights - MRK

MRK INVESTOR ALERT: Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $100,000 In MRK To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

Merck & Co (MRK) Investors Who Lost Money – Contact Law Offices of Howard G. Smith About Securities Fraud Investigation

Legal

Shareholders that lost money on Merck & Co., Inc.(MRK) should contact The Gross Law Firm about pending Class Action - MRK

Securities Fraud Investigation Into Merck & Co (MRK) Announced – Investors Who Lost Money Urged To Contact Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm

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

Merck & Co., Inc. Sued for Securities Law Violations - Investors Should Contact Levi & Korsinsky Before April 14, 2025 to Discuss Your Rights - MRK

INVESTOR ALERT: Merck & Co., Inc. Investors with Substantial Losses Have Opportunity to Lead Class Action Lawsuit - MRK

Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Encourages Merck & Co (MRK) Investors To Inquire About Securities Fraud Class Action

DEADLINE ALERT for ESTC, MRK, and FMC: The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz Reminds Investors of Class Actions on Behalf of Shareholders

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Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
02:34 PMFeb 21, 2025	CALL	$100.00	Jul 18, 2025	145	2430	2350	110	2209	TRADE	NEUTRAL
11:38 AMFeb 21, 2025	PUT	$110.00	Mar 21, 2025	26	50	390	4	1391	SWEEP	NEUTRAL
02:47 PMFeb 19, 2025	CALL	$110.00	Jul 18, 2025	145	20032	20000	93	21539	SWEEP	BULLISH