Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF Sees Gains Amid Active Holdings

Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF ( $SCHD ) has risen by 1.83% in the past week. It has experienced a 5-day net inflow of $70.23 million.
This is due, in part, to market sentiment on some of the ETF’s largest holdings. For example:

• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company spent the week underscoring the depth of its R&D pipeline across oncology, neurology, and early‑stage assets, even as Wall Street remains cautious on the stock. The company advanced several trials: a Phase II study with BioNTech testing pumitamig (BNT327) plus standard chemotherapy in newly diagnosed metastatic pancreatic cancer, a Phase 1/2 program of BMS‑986525 alone and with nivolumab in relapsed/refractory small‑cell lung cancer, a Phase 3 trial of KarXT + KarX‑EC for irritability associated with autism in children and adolescents, and a first‑in‑human Phase 1 trial of oral BMS‑986521 in healthy adults. Collectively, these studies highlight BMY’s push to rebuild long‑term growth beyond maturing blockbusters, particularly in hard‑to‑treat cancers and underserved CNS indications. On the market side, Argus and Citi reiterated Hold ratings, and the stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus with an average target around current levels, signaling that investors see upside tied mainly to successful execution of this expanding pipeline rather than near‑term earnings momentum.
• Merck & Company featured prominently in deal chatter and analyst commentary, reinforcing its image as a large pharma name using M&A and partnerships to bridge looming patent cliffs. Reports surfaced that Merck is in advanced but not yet finalized talks to acquire cancer‑drug developer Revolution Medicines in a potential $28–$32 billion transaction, which would be one of the largest healthcare deals since Pfizer’s Seagen buy and would deepen Merck’s franchise in RAS‑driven cancers as Keytruda’s patent expiry approaches. The company also remains tied to a key late‑stage catalyst for partner Moderna: Phase III data in adjuvant melanoma for their joint cancer vaccine, expected around Q4 2026, with UBS calling the outcome highly binary for Moderna’s valuation. Separately, Berenberg reiterated a Hold on Merck with a $95 price target, below the current share price, even as the broader Street assigns a Moderate Buy rating and a higher average target, reflecting a market that is broadly positive but mindful of execution risks around big‑ticket acquisitions and post‑Keytruda growth.
• Lockheed Martin shares came under pressure after President Trump publicly criticized U.S. defense contractors over high executive pay, equipment delivery delays, and signaled he would “not permit” dividends or stock buybacks until his concerns are addressed, knocking major defense names by around 2%. While it is unclear whether he has the legal authority to restrict shareholder payouts, the remarks injected fresh political risk into the sector and created uncertainty about future capital‑return policies for Lockheed, which currently offers a dividend yield in the roughly 1.5–2.7% range and routinely repurchases shares. At the same time, investors remain torn because Trump’s pro‑defense stance and calls to rebuild the military could support higher long‑term spending, and Lockheed has recently secured a new Pentagon agreement to expand PAC‑3 interceptor production along with other contract wins that bolster its revenue visibility. Analyst sentiment on the stock is cautious but stable, with a consensus Hold rating and an average price target implying only modest upside, while technical indicators and year‑to‑date gains suggest that, despite political noise, the market still views Lockheed as a core defense holding with solid long‑term fundamentals.