Korea Investment Reduces $14M in Merck & Co., Inc. ($MRK)

Korea Investment has reduced its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) by 5.4%, according to its latest filing with the SEC dated May 13, 2026. The firm sold 108,886 shares, bringing its total holdings to 1,897,151 shares valued at approximately $225.9 million.

What Changed in Korea Investment's Merck & Co., Inc. Position

Korea Investment trimmed its position in Merck & Co., Inc. from 2,006,037 shares to 1,897,151 shares, a decrease of 108,886 shares, or 5.4%. The value of the remaining stake stands at about $225.9 million.

Other Institutional Activity in Merck & Co., Inc.

BlackRock, Inc. grew its holdings in Merck by 6,734,865 shares, ending with 225,830,330 shares worth approximately $27.2 billion. On the other hand, State Street Corp reduced its position by 714,495 shares, now holding 119,325,673 shares valued at about $14.5 billion. Wellington Management Group LLP also cut its stake by 2,120,487 shares, leaving it with 84,314,971 shares valued at $10.1 billion.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Down 13.4%

Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) traded near $119.05. The company has a market cap of $294 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.54, and a forward P/E of 12.45. Merck has a 52-week low of $76.66 and a high of $125.14, with a 50-day moving average of $116.18 and a 200-day moving average of $104.78. The company's beta is 0.218, indicating lower volatility compared to the market.

Recent Earnings

Merck reported revenue of $65.8 billion, with a growth of 4.9%. Its net margin stands at 13.6%, and return on equity is 18.9%. The company's earnings per share (EPS) is $3.55. Merck is expected to announce its next earnings on August 4, 2026.

Dividend

Merck & Co., Inc. offers an annual dividend rate of $3.40, yielding 2.86%. The dividend payout ratio is 93.52%, indicating a high distribution of earnings to shareholders.

Insider Buying and Selling at Merck & Co., Inc.

On May 29, 2026, several insiders including Kathy Warden, Paul Rothman, Christine Seidman, Douglas Baker Jr., Patricia Russo, and Risa Lavizzo-Mourey each purchased 1,853 shares of Merck at an average price of $118.72.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On May 1, 2026, Wells Fargo maintained a buy rating on Merck with a $145 price target. UBS also maintained a buy rating on April 13, 2026, with the same target. JP Morgan reiterated its buy rating on April 6, 2026, with a $135 target. The consensus among 27 analysts suggests a buy rating with a mean target price of $129.74.

About Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc., headquartered in Rahway, NJ, is a global healthcare company specializing in pharmaceuticals and vaccines for human and animal health. Under CEO Robert M. Davis, the company employs 73,000 people. Merck offers a wide range of products, including Keytruda and Gardasil, and collaborates with companies like Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.

Bottom Line

Korea Investment's reduction in its Merck stake is part of the firm's latest portfolio adjustments, as reflected in its SEC filing. Investors often track these filings to gauge institutional sentiment, though the data is backward-looking and may not reflect current positions. Merck continues to be a major player in the healthcare sector, supported by strong analyst ratings and a solid dividend yield.