Investors aiming for above-average returns often turn to the practice of stock picking. Skillful choices in individual stocks can be a catalyst for substantial wealth growth.
Merck & Co Inc (NYSE: MRK) closed the day trading at $96.24 down -1.72% from the previous closing price of $97.92. In other words, the price has decreased by -$1.72 from its previous closing price. On the day, 17.61 million shares were traded. MRK stock price reached its highest trading level at $98.27 during the session, while it also had its lowest trading level at $95.76.
Ratios:
For a better understanding of MRK, let’s look at its different ratios. It provided that stocks Price–to–Cash (P/C) ratio for the trailing twelve months (TTM) is standing at 16.63 whereas its Price-to-Free Cash Flow (P/FCF) for the term is 16.41. For the most recent quarter (mrq), Quick Ratio is recorded 1.15 and its Current Ratio is at 1.36. In the meantime, Its Debt-to-Equity ratio is 0.86 whereas as Long-Term Debt/Eq ratio is at 0.79.
On December 20, 2024, BMO Capital Markets Downgraded its rating to Market Perform which previously was Outperform and also lowered its target price recommendation from $136 to $105.
Insider Transactions:
The insider trade also gives investors a glimpse into the future direction of stock prices, which can be beneficial to investors. A recent insider transaction in this stock occurred on Mar 11 ’24 when Merck & Co., Inc. bought 21,397,205 shares for $23.00 per share. The transaction valued at 492,135,715 led to the insider holds 1,000 shares of the business.
Litchfield Caroline sold 38,291 shares of MRK for $4,805,520 on Feb 14 ’24. The EVP & CFO now owns 50,908 shares after completing the transaction at $125.50 per share. On Feb 13 ’24, another insider, Davis Robert M, who serves as the Chairman, CEO & President of the company, sold 150,000 shares for $125.85 each. As a result, the insider received 18,877,424 and left with 348,327 shares of the company.
Valuation Measures:
Investors should consider key stock statistics when deciding whether to invest or divest. In the wake of the recent closing price, MRK now has a Market Capitalization of 247701536768 and an Enterprise Value of 267048140800. As of this moment, Merck’s Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio for their current fiscal year is 20.16, and their Forward P/E ratio for the next fiscal year is 10.41. The expected Price-to-Earnings-to-Growth (PEG) calculation for the next 5 years is 0.67. For the stock, the TTM Price-to-Sale (P/S) ratio is 3.87 while its Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio in mrq is 5.48. Its current Enterprise Value per Revenue stands at 4.227 whereas that against EBITDA is 11.647.
Stock Price History:
Over the past 52 weeks, MRK has reached a high of $134.63, while it has fallen to a 52-week low of $94.48. The 50-Day Moving Average of the stock is -3.73%, while the 200-Day Moving Average is calculated to be -16.74%.
Shares Statistics:
Over the past 3-months, MRK traded about 11.24M shares per day on average, while over the past 10 days, MRK traded about 9895170 shares per day. A total of 2.53B shares are outstanding, with a floating share count of 2.53B. Insiders hold about 0.09% of the company’s shares, while institutions hold 78.83% stake in the company. Shares short for MRK as of 1735603200 were 30926600 with a Short Ratio of 2.75, compared to 1732838400 on 32788187. Therefore, it implies a Short% of Shares Outstanding of 30926600 and a Short% of Float of 1.2200001.
Dividends & Splits
MRK’s forward annual dividend rate is 3.12, up from 3.04 a year ago. Against a Trailing Annual Dividend Yield of 0.031045752The stock’s 5-year Average Dividend Yield is 2.91.
Earnings Estimates
The current rating of Merck & Co Inc (MRK) is the result of assessments by 14.0 analysts actively engaged in evaluating its market dynamics.The consensus estimate for the next quarter is $2.2, with high estimates of $2.31 and low estimates of $2.0.
Analysts are recommending an EPS of between $7.86 and $7.72 for the fiscal current year, implying an average EPS of $7.68. EPS for the following year is $9.51, with 25.0 analysts recommending between $10.24 and $8.35.
Revenue Estimates
13 analysts predict $15.55B in revenue for the current quarter. It ranges from a high estimate of $16B to a low estimate of $15.33B. As of the current estimate, Merck & Co Inc’s year-ago sales were $14.63BFor the next quarter, 13 analysts are estimating revenue of $16.28B. There is a high estimate of $16.99B for the next quarter, whereas the lowest estimate is $15.65B.
A total of 25 analysts have provided revenue estimates for MRK’s current fiscal year. The highest revenue estimate was $64.36B, while the lowest revenue estimate was $63.15B, resulting in an average revenue estimate of $64B. In the same quarter a year ago, actual revenue was $60.12BBased on 25 analysts’ estimates, the company’s revenue will be $67.49B in the next fiscal year. The high estimate is $70.95B and the low estimate is $65.63B.
