Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) Joins BofA’s “US 1 List”

Core Viewpoint - Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is recognized as a highly profitable healthcare stock, included in BofA's "US 1 List" of top investment ideas, indicating strong analyst support for the company [1]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Bernstein has maintained a Market Perform rating on Merck with a price target of $95, while expressing concerns about the company's growth prospects, suggesting that significant growth beyond Keytruda may not materialize until 2027 [2]. - The overall analyst sentiment towards Merck is mixed, with slightly over half recommending a Buy and 45% adopting a cautious stance. The consensus 1-year median price target is set at $120, reflecting an upside potential of 10.93% [4]. Strategic Focus and Challenges - Bernstein noted Merck's renewed focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&As), indicating a willingness to invest tens of billions in strategic deals. However, there are challenges in establishing confidence in Merck's short-term growth momentum [3]. Company Overview - Merck & Co., Inc. is a New Jersey-based healthcare company that has been developing and manufacturing human health pharmaceuticals since its founding in 1891, with a commitment to improving lives through scientific advancements [5].