Merck stock climbs after a $16.61 billion quarter
Published on 08/14/2026 at 08:23 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Merck & Co., Inc. stock (US58933Y1055) climbed after the company reported $16.61 billion in revenue for the quarter ended August 4, 2026, with EPS of -$0.13 versus a consensus of -$0.26.
Revenue still beat the bar
The same report shows revenue rose 5.1% year over year from $16.61 billion in the prior period comparison, while the company set FY 2026 guidance at $2.66 to $2.76 in EPS. Analysts still expect $2.77 per share for the current fiscal year, which leaves the market working through a narrow spread between company guidance and consensus.
Merck's market value stood at $334.49 billion, and the shares traded at $135.57 after moving up $2.65 on the session, with 8,875,510 shares changing hands. The stock also sat between a 52-week low of $77.58 and a 52-week high of $135.68.
Analysts stayed constructive
Recent coverage pointed to a consensus price target of $135.50 and a moderate-buy stance, while the stock's 200-day average of $119.64 and 50-day average of $124.94 show how far the shares have already moved. A separate trading snapshot put the year-to-date gain at 28.58% and the five-day move at 5.43%, both underscoring how strong the re-rating has been into mid-August.
That backdrop matters because Merck's latest quarter paired a modest top-line beat with lower reported EPS after acquisition-related charges, so the market is weighing growth against a temporarily distorted profit line. The revenue base remains large, but the guidance reset has made the 2026 earnings path more important than the headline quarter alone.
Keytruda remains central
Keytruda remains the company's biggest product, and it still anchors the oncology franchise that supports the broader Merck portfolio. The quarter's $16.61 billion in revenue and the $2.66 to $2.76 EPS guide keep attention on whether that core drug can offset pressure in vaccines and other mature lines.
Merck shares at a glance
As of August 13, 2026, Merck stock traded at $135.57 on NYSE. The move left the shares just below the session high and close to the 52-week peak of $135.68.
Fact box
Company: Merck & Co., Inc.
ISIN: US58933Y1055
Ticker: MRK
Exchange: NYSE
Price (as of August 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET): $135.57 USD
Market cap: $334.49 billion (as of August 13, 2026)
Sector / Industry: Health Care / Pharmaceuticals
Index membership: S&P 500
