Group 1: Tariff Announcements - A new wave of tariffs will take effect on October 1, 2025, including a 100% levy on imported branded and patented pharmaceuticals, a 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, a 30% tax on upholstered furniture, and a 25% duty on heavy trucks [2] - The rationale for these tariffs is to protect American businesses from foreign goods and for national security reasons [2] Group 2: Market Reactions - The immediate market reaction on September 26, 2025, was mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.33% to close at 42,313.00, while the S&P 500 dipped 0.13% to 5,738.17, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.39% to 18,119.59 [3] - Home furnishings retailers and manufacturers, such as Wayfair and RH, experienced sharp declines, with RH dropping over 4%, while overseas pharmaceutical stocks also took a hit [4] Group 3: Economic Implications - Analysts warn of rekindled inflation concerns, particularly regarding healthcare expenses, as drug prices could potentially double due to the tariffs [6] - The Flash U.S. Manufacturing PMI fell to 52.0 in September from 53.0 in August, indicating supply chain disruptions and higher costs tied to the tariffs [6] Group 4: Historical Context - The current tariff situation is reminiscent of earlier tariffs imposed in April 2025, which led to significant market declines, including a 4.88% drop in the S&P 500 [7][8] - The S&P 500 had fallen about 12% within four days following the April tariffs, indicating the market's sensitivity to such announcements [9] Group 5: Broader Economic Concerns - The combination of aggressive trade policies, rising inflation, and a weakening labor market suggests a precarious economic environment, with Moody's Analytics indicating the U.S. economy may be closer to a recession than many investors realize [16] - Gold prices have shown a slight increase to around $3,789.80 per ounce, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties [17]

Core Insights - Merck & Co., Inc. is identified as one of the most undervalued stocks in the Dow, recognized for its leadership in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biologics, and animal health products [1] Group 1: Recent Developments - The FDA approved KEYTRUDA QLEX, a new subcutaneous injectable formulation of Keytruda, on September 19, 2025, which enhances patient convenience by reducing administration time from 30 minutes to 1-2 minutes [2] - In Europe, Merck received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency for ENFLONSIA (clesrovimab), a preventive for RSV in infants, which would be the first weight-independent option for this demographic if approved [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - Merck reported strong Q2 2025 results, with analysts highlighting its robust vaccine franchise, animal health segment, and innovative oncology treatments, including combination therapies with Keytruda [4] - The company is advancing novel drug candidates, such as raludotatug deruxtecan, which has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for treating platinum-resistant ovarian and related cancers [4]

Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement of significant tariffs on various imported goods, including upholstered furniture, pharmaceuticals, and kitchen cabinets, has created uncertainty for companies like Naturepedic, which relies on imports for its products. The tariffs are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to reshape U.S. trade policy and protect domestic industries [1][2][4]. Group 1: Impact on Companies - Naturepedic is contemplating whether to proceed with the launch of its upscale upholstered headboard in light of a 30% tariff on imported upholstered furniture, which could affect pricing strategies and overall profitability [1]. - The tariffs on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and upholstered furniture are expected to impact major exporters like China and Vietnam, potentially increasing costs for U.S. consumers and affecting the housing market [11][12]. - The tariffs on pharmaceuticals, while initially causing stock prices of some drug companies to rise, are likely to lead to higher prices for consumers, particularly those without comprehensive health care plans [9][10]. Group 2: Economic Context - The U.S. Treasury has seen a significant increase in customs duties, collecting $172 billion since the start of fiscal year 2025, which is a 126% increase from the previous year, although tariffs still represent less than 4% of federal revenue [5]. - The price of living room, kitchen, and dining room furniture has already risen nearly 10% over the past year, indicating that the new tariffs may exacerbate existing inflationary pressures in the furniture market [12]. - The rapid implementation of these tariffs is causing disruptions in retail supply chains, making it difficult for companies to plan and adapt to the changing economic landscape [13].

Company Performance - Merck (MRK) ended the recent trading session at $78.56, demonstrating a +1.24% change from the preceding day's closing price, outpacing the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.59% [1] - Prior to today's trading, shares of Merck had lost 6.74%, lagging the Medical sector's loss of 0.94% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.72% [1] Earnings Projections - The upcoming earnings report for Merck is projected to show earnings per share (EPS) of $2.37, reflecting a 50.96% increase from the same quarter last year, with revenue expected to be $17.19 billion, showing a 3.18% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter [2] - For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $8.93 per share and revenue of $64.94 billion, representing changes of +16.73% and +1.21%, respectively, from the prior year [3] Analyst Estimates and Valuation - Recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Merck are important as they reflect short-term business trends, with positive revisions indicating analyst optimism about the business and profitability [3] - Merck currently has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remaining unchanged over the last 30 days [5] - From a valuation perspective, Merck has a Forward P/E ratio of 8.69, which is a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 13.72, and a PEG ratio of 0.8 compared to the industry average of 1.5 [6] Industry Context - The Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry, part of the Medical sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 85, placing it in the top 35% of all 250+ industries [7] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

About this content About Ian Lyall Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business outpu ...

About four months have passed since my last article, "Merck Proves Why It's Still a Top Pharma Pick," and during that time, its stock price has risen by 5%.With over two decades of dedicated experience in investment, Allka Research has been a guiding force for individuals seeking lucrative opportunities. Its conservative approach sets it apart, consistently unearthing undervalued assets within the realms of ETFs, commodities, technology, and pharmaceutical companies.Allka Research's journey in the investmen ...

About four months have passed since my last article, "Merck Proves Why It's Still a Top Pharma Pick," and during that time, its stock price has risen by 5%.With over two decades of dedicated experience in investment, Allka Research has been a guiding force for individuals seeking lucrative opportunities. Its conservative approach sets it apart, consistently unearthing undervalued assets within the realms of ETFs, commodities, technology, and pharmaceutical companies.Allka Research's journey in the investmen ...

Company Overview - Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is recognized as one of the best value stocks in Goldman Sachs' portfolio [1] - The company is a global healthcare provider delivering medicines and vaccines across various therapeutic areas, including oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, and cardiometabolic conditions [3] Product Development - On September 19, Merck announced FDA approval for KEYTRUDA QLEX injection, the first subcutaneous version of its cancer drug KEYTRUDA [1] - QLEX can be administered subcutaneously in as little as one minute, offering a faster and more convenient option compared to the traditional intravenous (IV) form [1] Market Impact - The approval of QLEX strengthens Merck's leadership in oncology, where KEYTRUDA already has approvals across 38 cancer indications [2] - The new subcutaneous format is expected to enhance adoption in community clinics and smaller practices, improving patient experience with three-week and six-week dosing schedules [2] Financial Performance - KEYTRUDA is already generating multi-billion-dollar sales annually, and the introduction of the subcutaneous version provides Merck with a new opportunity to defend and grow its oncology franchise [3]

Core Insights - Merck & Co. (MRK) and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) are prominent pharmaceutical companies with diverse portfolios and global reach [1][2] - MRK has a strong oncology franchise, particularly with its blockbuster drug Keytruda, while BMY focuses on transformational drugs across various therapeutic areas [1][2] Merck (MRK) Overview - MRK has over six blockbuster drugs, with Keytruda being the primary revenue driver, contributing significantly to top-line growth [3][4] - Keytruda's sales increased approximately 7% in the first half of 2025, benefiting from its approval for various oncology indications and strong uptake in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer [4][10] - The company is expanding its pipeline, with over 1,600 trials for Keytruda and plans to launch around 20 new vaccines and drugs in the coming years [5][7] - MRK's Animal Health business is also a key growth contributor, showing above-market growth [5] - A new optimization initiative aims for $3 billion in annual cost savings by the end of 2027, although Keytruda's loss of exclusivity in 2028 poses a risk to future revenue [8][10] - Declining sales of Gardasil and lower demand in key markets like China and Japan are challenges for MRK [9][11] Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) Overview - BMY's Growth Portfolio includes drugs like Opdivo, Reblozyl, and Camzyos, which have stabilized revenue amid generic competition [12][16] - Opdivo's sales are driven by strong launches in specific cancer indications, with expectations for mid-to-high single-digit growth in 2025 [13][14] - A collaboration with BioNTech enhances BMY's pipeline, focusing on bispecific antibodies for solid tumors [15] - Despite newer drugs boosting sales, BMY faces significant headwinds from generic competition affecting legacy drugs [17] - BMY's restructuring program aims for $2 billion in annual cost savings by the end of 2027, but the company has a high debt-to-capital ratio of 73.8% [18] Financial Estimates and Performance - MRK's 2025 sales are expected to increase by 1.21%, with EPS improving by 16.73%, while BMY's sales are projected to decrease by 2.06%, but EPS is expected to rise significantly due to low prior-year figures [19][20] - Both companies have seen upward revisions in EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 [21] - Year-to-date, MRK and BMY have underperformed the large-cap pharma industry, with losses of 19.7% and 20.5%, respectively [24] - MRK trades at 8.24X forward earnings, while BMY trades at 7.02X, both below the industry average of 14.67X [26] Dividend and Investment Considerations - Both MRK and BMY offer attractive dividend yields, with BMY at 5.61% and MRK at 4% [27] - Current rankings for both companies are Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), making the choice between them complex [28] - MRK is viewed as a better pick due to its diverse portfolio and strong Keytruda sales, despite challenges [30]

Group 1 - Analysts are optimistic about Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), highlighting its strong franchises in vaccines and animal health as key profit sources [1] - Merck's pipeline includes experiments combining KEYTRUDA with other drugs to target specific cancers, with a reasonable chance of success for at least one combination [1] - Impax US Sustainable Economy Fund noted Merck's high Corporate Resilience score and its contribution to a sustainable healthcare system through drug and vaccine discovery [2] Group 2 - The stock experienced weakness in Q2 due to concerns about its drug pipeline and competition from generic versions of KEYTRUDA, alongside weaker market sentiment for healthcare stocks [2] - Despite acknowledging Merck's potential, some analysts believe that certain AI stocks may offer greater promise for higher returns with limited downside risk [2]