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]

Tariff Impact Analysis - President Trump's new 100% tariffs on the pharma sector may not be as severe as initially feared due to bilateral trade agreements and manufacturing presence in the United States [1][2] - The tariff impact is mitigated because many pharmaceutical manufacturers have operations or are building facilities in the United States [2] - Tariffs on materials used in drug manufacturing in the United States are a small portion of the overall cost, with gross margins on these products being 85-90% plus [4] - The API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) component may only be 1-2% of the overall cost, so a 10-15% tariff on that component is not a major concern [5] Investment Recommendations - The industry is more focused on the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) negotiated price list and potential drug pricing negotiations [5] - Gilead is viewed favorably due to its long-acting prep launch [6] - Fizer's recent deal is seen as a positive step, but execution is needed [7] - Other favored names include Vert [6]

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 ...

Welcome to Yahoo Finance flagship show, The Morning Brief. I'm Julie Heyman. Let's get the three things you need to know today.President Trump following through on his threats to slap tariffs on heavy trucks, furniture, and pharmaceuticals. For homegoods, two different tariff rates will go into effect next week. A 50% rate on items like kitchen cabinets, and a lower 30% rate on upholstered furniture.The news weighing on furniture companies this morning. But there's a big loophole for the drug makers. As lon ...

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]

At Friedrich Global Research we are searching for what we believe will be the safest and best performing companies in which to buy stocks. We focus on free cash flow, efficient capital allocation, and consistently superior results to identify the highest quality management teams.Founder of Bern Factor LLC, an independent research and publishing firm located in Virginia. I have nearly 40 years of investing and analysis experience. I am a former CPA (1990 -2017) and became a CFA charter holder in 2000. I cons ...

Company Overview - Merck & Co. is based in Kenilworth, NJ, and has over six blockbuster products, with Keytruda, a PD-L1 inhibitor, accounting for approximately 50% of its pharmaceutical sales [12] - Keytruda has significantly contributed to Merck's steady revenue growth in recent years, although there are concerns about the company's heavy reliance on this drug and the need for product diversification [12] Zacks Rank and Style Scores - Merck is currently rated 3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B, indicating a solid position but not a strong buy [13] - The company has a Value Style Score of A, supported by attractive valuation metrics such as a forward P/E ratio of 8.92, which may appeal to value investors [13] - In the last 60 days, seven analysts have revised their earnings estimates higher for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.06 to $8.93 per share [13] - Merck has an average earnings surprise of +3.9%, suggesting a positive trend in earnings performance [13] Investment Considerations - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, Merck is recommended for investors' consideration [14]

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) is making significant progress in obesity drug development with its investigational drug VK2735, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist [1] - Pfizer's acquisition of Metsera for $4.9 billion intensifies competition in the obesity market, adding four new clinical-stage programs to Pfizer's pipeline [2] - The recent mixed results from VKTX's mid-stage study raise concerns about the safety and tolerability of VK2735, particularly regarding higher dropout rates [4] Company Developments - VKTX is advancing VK2735 in both oral and subcutaneous forms for obesity treatment, with a focus now shifting to the subcutaneous version following mixed trial results for the oral formulation [5][9] - The company aims to compete with established players like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, which dominate the obesity market with their injectable drugs [5] - Despite challenges, VKTX has achieved its primary and secondary endpoints in clinical studies, indicating potential for market share in the growing obesity sector [6] Industry Landscape - The obesity market in the U.S. is projected to reach $100 billion by 2030, with major players like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk already generating significant revenue from obesity drugs [7] - Amgen, AbbVie, and Merck are also entering the obesity space, with Amgen initiating phase III studies for its investigational drug MariTide [8][10] - The competitive landscape is becoming increasingly crowded, with multiple companies investing in next-generation obesity treatments [7][8] Financial Performance - VKTX shares have underperformed the industry year to date, trading at a premium with a price-to-book value ratio of 3.76 compared to the industry average of 3.22 [11][13] - Estimates for VKTX's loss per share for 2025 and 2026 have widened recently, indicating potential financial challenges ahead [14]