JPMorgan raises target for Merck & Co. stock from USD 150 to USD 165

Published on 10/07/2026 at 14:32 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Q2 revenue reached USD 16.61 billion, up 5.10 percent year over year. Merck & Co. stock costs EUR 126.98 on October 7, 2026 versus EUR 125.70.

NYSE-Handelsraum mit Händlern und großen Pharma-Aktienkurs-Bildschirmen — Börsen-Editorial vom NYSE-Handelsraum mit Pharma-Charts symbolisiert Notierung von Merck & Co. Inc., ISIN US58933Y1055, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Merck & Co. (ISIN US58933Y1055) was trading at EUR 126.98 at Lang & Schwarz on October 7, 2026, at 2:29 p.m. CEST, up 1.02 percent versus the prior close of EUR 125.70. JPMorgan raised its price target from USD 150 to USD 165 on October 5, 2026, while retaining an Overweight rating, as Markets Insider reported.

JPMorgan lifts its target

The revised USD 165 target is the latest dated analyst action in the recent coverage window. JPMorgan expects the third-quarter report on October 29 to bring no major surprises and keeps the pipeline central to its Merck view, according to Markets Insider.

The target change matters because it raises the stated valuation reference by USD 15, or 10.00 percent, from the former USD 150 level. The same report identifies potential data updates in lung cancer and melanoma as pipeline milestones behind the analyst view.

Q2 revenue and guidance

Merck reported USD 16.61 billion in revenue for the second quarter of 2026, up 5.10 percent from the year-earlier period. The figure exceeded the USD 16.37 billion consensus estimate, while adjusted earnings per share showed a loss of USD 0.13 versus a consensus loss of USD 0.26, according to MarketBeat.

Merck's full-year 2026 earnings-per-share guidance stands at USD 2.66 to USD 2.76. That outlook gives the market a company-specific benchmark before the next quarterly release, while the Q2 loss reflected acquisition-related charges described in the recent results coverage.

October 29 sets the next test

Merck's investor-relations calendar lists the third-quarter 2026 sales and earnings conference call for October 29, 2026. The company also highlighted continued strength in oncology and animal health in its Q2 materials, with worldwide sales of USD 16.6 billion, per the Merck investor-relations page.

Stock remains below its yearly high

For investors, the immediate setup combines a positive analyst revision with a scheduled results date and a share price still below the USD 156.92 52-week high. The primary exchange is the NYSE, where the finance quote showed a USD 82.01 to USD 156.92 52-week range and a USD 350.5 billion market capitalization as of October 6, 2026.

At Lang & Schwarz, Merck was trading at EUR 126.98 on October 7, 2026 at 2:29 p.m. CEST, plus 1.02 percent versus the Lang & Schwarz prior close of EUR 125.70. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Merck & Co. stock.