Merck & Co (MRK) Stock

I initially rated Merck as a strong sell due to its high-risk profile, but recent technical signals indicate it might reach a low point around $100. I've changed my rating to a buy and am using a "Dog Collar" strategy, which involves buying a put option and selling a call option to reduce risk. This method allows for a potential gain of $18 while limiting the downside risk to $7, helping me manage risk while looking for profits.

Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK, ETR:6MK) saw its shares drop over 10% after the company provided disappointing forecasts for 2025 and revealed it would stop sending its HPV vaccine Gardasil to China until at least mid-year because of falling demand. The company also reported a 17% decrease in Gardasil sales, totaling $1.55 billion for the fourth quarter compared to the previous year.

Merck announced that it will stop sending Gardasil to China until at least the middle of the year due to low demand for the HPV vaccine, which may impact its revenue in 2025. However, the company still reported a solid profit in the fourth quarter, thanks to sales of the cancer drug Keytruda.

RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck has released its financial results for the fourth quarter and the entire year of 2024.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) will hold its Q4 2024 Results Conference Call on February 4, 2025, at 9:00 AM ET. The call will feature company leaders, including Peter Dannenbaum, Rob Davis, Caroline Litchfield, and Dr. Dean Li, along with various analysts from different financial firms. Thank you for joining us for this discussion on Merck's sales and earnings.

MRK has shared positive results for the fourth quarter. However, the choice to pause shipments of Gardasil vaccines to China has impacted its sales predictions for 2025.

Merck's stock has dropped by over 20% in the last year due to issues with the sales of its Gardasil vaccine in China.

MRK has decided to end the late-stage HYPERION study for the PAH drug Winrevair earlier than planned after reviewing the overall clinical program data for the drug.

Instead of just focusing on Wall Street's predictions for Merck's (MRK) earnings, let's explore some important metrics to better understand how the company might perform in the quarter that ends in December 2024. This will give us a clearer picture of its potential.