Analyst Evan Seigerman from BMO Capital maintained a Hold rating on Merck & Company and keeping the price target at $82.00.
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Evan Seigerman has given his Hold rating due to a combination of factors surrounding Merck & Company’s current position in the HIV market and its future prospects. The company’s recent investor event showcased a promising pipeline, particularly with the MK-8527 oral PrEP medication, which is expected to compete with existing treatments like Gilead’s Yeztugo. However, the competitive landscape is challenging, with Gilead’s dominance posing a significant hurdle.
Despite the optimism around Merck’s development efforts, there are concerns about the adherence benefits of the monthly oral PrEP compared to longer-acting injectables. Additionally, the market’s current estimates reflect a cautious outlook, with a higher-than-usual discount applied to Merck’s HIV portfolio. This indicates a perceived uncertainty about the success of Merck’s pipeline assets, which contributes to the Hold rating. Seigerman’s analysis suggests that while there are potential catalysts ahead, the lack of clarity around growth beyond key products like Keytruda and Gardasil adds to the pressure on Merck’s stock.
In another report released yesterday, Wells Fargo also maintained a Hold rating on the stock with a $97.00 price target.
MRK’s price has also changed moderately for the past six months – from $97.920 to $81.520, which is a -16.75% drop .