Merck & Co. stock: Higher outlook meets stronger pipeline momentum

Published on 11/02/2026 at 16:42 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Merck & Co. stock faces a sharper quote after the company raised its 2026 outlook. Third-quarter sales grew 5 percent, led by oncology and WINREVAIR.

Sales Growth And Outlook

Merck reported third-quarter sales of USD 18.085 billion, up 5 percent year over year.
The company raised its 2026 sales outlook and non-GAAP earnings-per-share range.
Oncology pipeline milestones include a June 15, 2027, FDA action date for sacituzumab tirumotecan.

Merck & Co., US58933Y1055, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Merck & Co. reported third-quarter 2026 results on Thursday, October 29, and raised its full-year outlook. The company posted worldwide sales of USD 18.085 billion, up 5 percent from the year-earlier quarter, according to the Merck financial release.

What Changed Since Our Last Report

Merck lifted its 2026 sales range to USD 66.8 billion to USD 67.3 billion from USD 66.3 billion to USD 67.3 billion previously. The non-GAAP earnings-per-share outlook moved to USD 2.77 to USD 2.82 from USD 2.66 to USD 2.76.

The update came as KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX sales rose 6 percent to USD 8.601 billion. WINREVAIR sales increased 93 percent to USD 694 million, while Animal Health sales advanced 4 percent to USD 1.676 billion. Merck said quarterly growth benefited from purchase timing of approximately USD 550 million, which it expects to unwind across the fourth quarter and 2027 in parts of the portfolio.

Pipeline Adds A Longer-Term Catalyst

Merck also highlighted late-stage oncology progress presented at the October ESMO Congress. The Phase 3 TroFuse-005 trial of sacituzumab tirumotecan reduced the risk of death by 32 percent and the risk of disease progression or death by 41 percent versus chemotherapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration set a June 15, 2027, PDUFA date for the application.

Quarterly non-GAAP earnings per share were USD 2.49, down from USD 2.58 a year earlier, while GAAP earnings per share fell to USD 2.04 from USD 2.32. Both measures included a one-time charge of USD 0.12 per share related to the SciBrunch license agreement.

Merck & Co. stock traded at 131.76 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 16:35 CET on Monday, November 2, 2026, 1.91 percent below the Xetra close of Friday, October 30, at 134.32 euros. The comparison with the latest own report is separate: the quote was 133.13 euros at 11:35 CET on November 2.