智通财经4月17日电，蒙特利尔银行将默克公司目标股价从96美元下调至89美元；将辉瑞目标价从36美 元下调至30美元。 ...

Core Insights - Merck and AbbVie are leading pharmaceutical companies with strong portfolios in oncology and immunology, respectively [2][4] - Both companies are experiencing consistent sales and earnings growth, supported by robust pipelines with promising late-stage candidates [4] Merck Overview - Oncology accounts for approximately 50% of Merck's total revenues, with the PD-L1 inhibitor Keytruda alone contributing around 50% of its pharmaceutical sales [3] - Merck has over six blockbuster drugs, with Keytruda being the primary revenue driver, particularly in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer [9] - The company has made significant regulatory and clinical progress in 2024, alongside strategic acquisitions [10] - However, Merck faces challenges such as declining sales of Gardasil due to weak performance in China and concerns about its dependence on Keytruda [11][12] AbbVie Overview - AbbVie's largest segment is immunology, which also accounts for around 50% of its total revenues, driven by key drugs like Humira, Skyrizi, and Rinvoq [3] - AbbVie has successfully managed the loss of exclusivity for Humira by launching new immunology medicines that are performing well [5] - The company has a strong pipeline with several early/mid-stage candidates and plans for regulatory submissions and approvals in the next 12 months [6] - AbbVie faces near-term headwinds, including biosimilar erosion of Humira and competitive pressures on its cancer drug Imbruvica [7][8] Financial Comparisons - As of December 31, 2024, AbbVie had $60.3 billion in long-term debt and a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.95, significantly higher than the industry average of 0.41 [8] - Merck exited 2024 with cash and cash equivalents of $13.7 billion and a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.42, slightly above the industry average [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AbbVie's 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year increases of 5.7% and 21.4%, respectively [13] Investment Outlook - AbbVie is positioned for continued strong growth, expecting mid-single-digit revenue growth in 2025 and a high single-digit CAGR through 2029 [17] - In contrast, Merck faces the upcoming loss of exclusivity for Keytruda in 2028, raising concerns about its ability to sustain growth [17] - Despite a steeper valuation, AbbVie is viewed as a more favorable investment due to rising estimates and a solid growth outlook [18]

Policy Developments - The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved the registration of 308 medical device products as of March 2025, including 248 domestic Class III medical devices, 34 imported Class III medical devices, 19 imported Class II medical devices, and 7 medical devices from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan [1] Drug Approvals - Chengdu Saijing Bio's ursodeoxycholic acid oral suspension has been approved as the first domestic generic Class 3.1 new drug for treating cystic fibrosis-associated liver disease (CFALD), filling a gap in the market for this indication [2] - Kowa Company's pemafibrate tablets have been approved in China for the treatment of dyslipidemia [3] - Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) announced that its nine-valent HPV vaccine has received approval for male use in China, targeting males aged 16-26, enhancing public awareness of HPV infections in men [5] Capital Market - Zhongjie Chaorun completed a Pre-A round financing of several million yuan, primarily for clinical trials of its artificial meniscus implant and commercialization of its innovative meniscus suturing device [4] Financial Reports - Aoyang Health reported a 2024 revenue of 2.01 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 7.54%, with a net profit of 40.56 million yuan, down 18.36% [6] - Novogene announced a total revenue of 2.111 billion yuan for 2024, a year-on-year increase of 5.45%, with a net profit of 197 million yuan, up 10.52% [7] - Tianyi Medical reported a revenue of 419 million yuan for 2024, a year-on-year increase of 9.98%, but a net loss of 744,000 yuan [8] - Luoxin Pharmaceutical disclosed a net loss of 962 million yuan for 2024, despite a revenue increase of 11.99% to 2.647 billion yuan [9] - Dongxing Medical reported a revenue of approximately 435 million yuan for 2024, a slight increase of 0.4%, with a net profit of about 97.42 million yuan, up 0.21% [10] Public Sentiment - Xinbang Pharmaceutical announced the resignation of independent director Zhou Jun, with the company reporting a revenue of 6.032 billion yuan for 2024, down 6.63%, and a net profit of 101 million yuan, down 64.70% [11] - Shuangcheng Pharmaceutical warned of potential delisting risk due to expected negative net profit and revenue below 300 million yuan for 2024 [12]

Company Performance - Merck (MRK) closed at $79.17, reflecting a slight decrease of -0.01% from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500 which gained 0.79% [1] - The stock has experienced a significant decline of 16.27% over the past month, compared to the Medical sector's loss of 8.97% and the S&P 500's loss of 3.56% [1] Upcoming Earnings - Merck's earnings report is scheduled for April 24, 2025, with an expected EPS of $2.16, representing a 4.35% increase from the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue is anticipated to be $15.48 billion, indicating a decrease of 1.85% compared to the previous year [2] Fiscal Year Estimates - For the entire fiscal year, Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $8.96 per share and revenue of $64.99 billion, reflecting increases of +17.12% and +1.27% respectively from the prior year [3] - Recent modifications to analyst estimates are crucial as they often indicate near-term business trends, with positive revisions suggesting a favorable business outlook [3][4] Zacks Rank and Performance - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), has shown a strong track record, with 1 stocks averaging an annual return of +25% since 1988 [5] - Merck currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with a recent 0.53% decline in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate [5] Valuation Metrics - Merck is trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 8.84, which is lower than the industry average Forward P/E of 13.03 [6] - The company's PEG ratio stands at 0.72, compared to the average PEG ratio of 1.19 for Large Cap Pharmaceuticals [6] Industry Overview - The Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry is part of the Medical sector and currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 72, placing it in the top 30% of over 250 industries [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the strength of industry groups based on the average Zacks Rank of individual stocks, with top-rated industries outperforming lower-rated ones by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Company Overview - Merck (MRK) and AbbVie (ABBV) are leading pharmaceutical companies with strong portfolios in oncology and immunology, with Merck also involved in vaccines, diabetes, virology, and animal health, while AbbVie has a presence in aesthetics, neuroscience, and eye care [1][2] - Oncology accounts for around 50% of Merck's total revenues, with Keytruda, a PD-L1 inhibitor, alone accounting for approximately 50% of its pharmaceutical sales [1][2] AbbVie Analysis - AbbVie's largest segment is immunology, contributing around 50% of its total revenues, with key drugs including Humira, Skyrizi, and Rinvoq [2][3] - The company has successfully managed the loss of exclusivity for Humira by launching new immunology medicines, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which are performing well and expected to support growth [3][4] - AbbVie has a robust pipeline with several early/mid-stage candidates and anticipates multiple regulatory submissions and approvals in the next 12 months [4] - The company has been active in acquisitions to strengthen its pipeline, particularly in immunology, while also exploring early-stage deals in oncology and neuroscience [4] AbbVie Challenges - AbbVie faces near-term challenges, including biosimilar erosion of Humira, competitive pressure on Imbruvica, and slow market growth for Juvederm fillers in the U.S. and China [5] AbbVie Financials - As of December 31, 2024, AbbVie had $60.3 billion in long-term debt and $6.8 billion in short-term obligations, with cash and cash equivalents of approximately $5.6 billion, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.95, significantly higher than the industry average of 0.41 [6] Merck Analysis - Merck has over six blockbuster drugs, with Keytruda being the primary revenue driver, particularly in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer [7] - The company has made significant regulatory and clinical progress in 2024, particularly in oncology and vaccines, and has executed strategic acquisitions [8] Merck Challenges - Merck's sales of Gardasil declined in 2024 due to weak performance in China, and the company is experiencing weakness in its diabetes franchise and generic erosion of some drugs [9] - Concerns are rising about Merck's ability to grow its non-oncology business ahead of Keytruda's loss of exclusivity in 2028 [10] Merck Financials - As of the end of 2024, Merck had cash and cash equivalents of $13.7 billion against long-term debt of $34.5 billion, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.42, slightly above the industry average [10] Sales and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AbbVie's 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year increases of 5.7% and 21.4%, respectively [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Merck's 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year increases of 1.3% and 17.1%, respectively [14] Stock Performance - Year-to-date, AbbVie's stock has declined by 0.6%, while Merck's stock has dropped by 19.7%, compared to the industry's decrease of 6.0% [17] Valuation Comparison - Both companies are priced lower than the industry average, with AbbVie trading at a price/earnings ratio of 13.71, higher than Merck's 8.60 [19] - AbbVie's dividend yield is 3.75%, lower than Merck's 4.09% [20] Return on Equity - AbbVie's return on equity stands at 296.3%, significantly higher than Merck's 44.4% [23] Investment Outlook - AbbVie is positioned for continued strong growth, having navigated the challenges of Humira's patent cliff effectively, while Merck faces uncertainties related to Keytruda's upcoming loss of exclusivity [25][26] - AbbVie expects robust mid-single-digit revenue growth in 2025, while Merck's future growth is uncertain due to its reliance on Keytruda [26]

Core Viewpoint - A class action lawsuit has been filed against Merck & Co., Inc. for alleged violations of securities laws, specifically related to misleading statements about the demand for its product Gardasil in China and inflated inventory issues [1][4]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit is based on violations of §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 [1]. - Investors who purchased Merck's securities between February 3, 2022, and February 3, 2025, are encouraged to participate in the class action [2]. - The class has not yet been certified, meaning potential participants are not currently represented by an attorney [3]. Group 2: Allegations Against Merck - The complaint alleges that Merck made false and misleading statements regarding its consumer activation and education efforts for Gardasil, particularly in China [4]. - The company was overly optimistic about Gardasil's demand while concealing negative facts about actual demand and inflated inventory held by its distributor, Zhifei [4]. - As a result of these misleading statements, investors suffered damages when the truth about Merck's situation was revealed [4].

Core Viewpoint - Rosen Law Firm is reminding investors who purchased Merck & Co., Inc. securities between February 3, 2022, and February 3, 2025, of the April 14, 2025, lead plaintiff deadline for a class action lawsuit [1][2]. Group 1: Class Action Details - Investors may be entitled to compensation without any out-of-pocket fees through a contingency fee arrangement [1]. - A class action lawsuit has already been filed, and interested parties must move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff by April 14, 2025 [2]. - The lawsuit claims that Merck provided misleading information regarding the expected revenue of $11 billion from Gardasil sales by 2030 while concealing adverse facts about demand in China [4]. Group 2: Rosen Law Firm's Credentials - Rosen Law Firm has a strong track record in securities class actions, having achieved the largest securities class action settlement against a Chinese company at the time [3]. - The firm was ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for the number of settlements in 2017 and has recovered hundreds of millions for investors [3]. - In 2019, the firm secured over $438 million for investors, and its founding partner was recognized as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 in 2020 [3].

Core Viewpoint - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP is investigating potential claims against Merck & Co., Inc. due to allegations of false and misleading statements regarding the company's revenue expectations from Gardasil sales, particularly in China, which led to inflated stock prices and subsequent losses for investors [3][5]. Group 1: Legal Investigation and Claims - The law firm is encouraging investors who suffered losses exceeding $100,000 in Merck between February 3, 2022, and February 3, 2025, to discuss their legal options [1]. - A federal securities class action has been filed against Merck, with a deadline of April 14, 2025, for investors to seek the role of lead plaintiff [3][8]. - The complaint alleges that Merck and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false statements about Gardasil's expected revenue of $11 billion by 2030 and failing to disclose the true demand situation in China [5]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Reaction - On February 4, 2025, Merck reported a 3% decline in Gardasil/Gardasil 9 sales, totaling $8.6 billion, and announced a temporary pause in shipments to China [6]. - Following this announcement, Merck's stock price dropped by $9.05 per share, or 9.1%, closing at $90.74 per share [7]. Group 3: Company Background - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP is a national securities law firm with a history of recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995 [4].

Core Viewpoint - Rosen Law Firm is reminding investors who purchased Merck & Co., Inc. securities between February 3, 2022, and February 3, 2025, of the April 14, 2025, lead plaintiff deadline for a class action lawsuit [1] Group 1: Class Action Details - Investors who purchased Merck securities during the specified Class Period may be entitled to compensation without any out-of-pocket fees through a contingency fee arrangement [1] - A class action lawsuit has already been filed, and interested parties must move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff by April 14, 2025 [2] - The Rosen Law Firm emphasizes the importance of selecting qualified counsel with a successful track record in securities class actions [3] Group 2: Case Background - The lawsuit alleges that throughout the Class Period, Merck provided misleading information regarding expected revenue of $11 billion from Gardasil sales by 2030 [4] - Defendants reportedly made overly optimistic statements about Gardasil's demand in China while concealing adverse facts about the actual demand visibility and inflated inventory issues [4]

NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in Merck & Co., Inc. ("Merck" or the "Company") (NYSE: MRK) of a class action securities lawsuit.CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of Merck investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between February 3, 2022 and February 3, 2025. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:https://zlk.com/pslra-1/merck-co-inc-lawsuit-submission-form ...