MRK

MerckC

NYSE / Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

At close

2026-07-18

Current thesis

The cleanest bullish read is that April 30 results reinforced underlying demand in oncology and newer launches: KEYTRUDA remained strong, WINREVAIR kept scaling, Animal Health grew double digits, and management raised the midpoint of 2026 sales and non-GAAP EPS guidance [#8-K-2026-04-30]. The IR deck also gives MRK a better-than-generic follow-through setup because there are multiple dated milestone shots across oncology, cardiometabolic/respiratory, HIV, immunology, and ophthalmology [#IR-2026-04-30].

Posture

Mixed

Lead driver

Value

What changed

Value remains the lead driver in the composite, 7D delta -0.3.

What can break

Acquisition activity is distorting optics and increasing execution risk: Cidara created a $9.0B charge in Q1 and the planned Terns close would add an approximately $5.8B one-time charge not included in current outlook [#8-K-2026-04-30].

Momentum

Value

Sentiment

Setup hits (3d)

0 · Net Neutral

AI TargetsBase $126.00 · Bull $138.00 · Bear $98.00

Data freshness

Prices

As of 2026-07-18

Fundamentals

As of 2026-07-17 • Vendor: Data Vendor v1

Scores

As of 2026-07-18 • Model: HYBRID_IC_RP

AI Memo

As of 2026-05-03 • Model: RankAlpha Sentiment Codex

Investment thesis

As of 2026-07-18

Supporting evidence

What

Grade C · Mixed

Confidence Medium · Net Neutral

Target $135.25

Why

Momentum41 · Δ7d -13.8

Value64 · Δ7d -0.3

Sentiment43 · Δ7d -6.3

So what

Balanced signals (Net Neutral). Wait for confirmation before sizing up.

Lead driver: Value · See fundamentals

Momentum

26% active weight

Current posture

7d trendFlat

Δ7d

-13.8

Δ21d

-32.2

Value

39% active weight

Current posture

7d trendFlat

Δ7d

-0.3

Δ21d

+0.0

Sentiment

34% active weight

Current posture

7d trendSoftening

Δ7d

-6.3

Δ21d

-0.9

Why this grade

Composite grade C. Momentum 40.6 / Value 64.5 / Sentiment 43.3

Fundamentals (TTM)

As of 2026-07-17

Market Cap

$314.9B

Beta

0.29

Shares Out

2.47B

P/E (TTM)

14.2

P/S (TTM)

4.15

P/FCF (TTM)

53.98

Rev YoY

+3.7%

EPS YoY

-185.5%

Gross Margin

+73.4%

Op Margin

+33.7%

Net Debt

$35.84B

Current Ratio

1.30

As of 2026-07-18 • Updated nightlySource: Internal modelMethodology