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On Wednesday, Goldman Sachs analyst Chris Shibutani adjusted the price target for Merck (NSE:PROR) & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to $129.00, down from the previous $135.00, while reiterating a Buy rating on the pharmaceutical giant’s shares. Shibutani’s revision comes in the wake of Merck’s recent 2025 guidance announcement, which reflected the challenging market conditions for its Gardasil vaccine in China. The analyst pointed out that the company’s operational performance remained strong in most of its key franchises, despite the market’s reaction to the guidance and healthcare policy leadership news that led to a significant drop in Merck’s share price.
According to Shibutani, the nearly 9% decline in Merck’s stock price, compared to a modest 0.3% dip in the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV), was an overreaction. He believes that Merck’s strategic approach to the Gardasil issue in China is prudent, noting that revenue from Gardasil in China is now projected to represent only 1-2% of the company’s sales guidance for 2025. The company maintains a strong financial position with a GREAT Financial Health Score and has consistently raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years, offering a current yield of 3.57%. The analyst suggests that at current levels, investors have an opportunity to consider Merck’s broader portfolio, pipeline, and strategic initiatives, which include capital allocation and business development.
Shibutani remains optimistic about the potential of Winrevair and anticipates increased visibility for the company’s pipeline prospects in immunology, infectious disease, and ophthalmology. He expects the catalyst path to become more robust in the second half of the year, with Phase 3 oral PCSK9 data and developments in Merck’s cardiometabolic disease strategy being particular points of interest. Moreover, the analyst suggests that significant business development capacity could strengthen Merck’s narrative.
In conclusion, the adjustment to the price target is a result of updates to Goldman Sachs’ model, which now factors in the revised expectations for Gardasil in China. Despite the price target reduction, Goldman Sachs maintains a bullish stance on Merck, encouraging investors to look beyond the near-term challenges. InvestingPro analysis suggests Merck is currently undervalued, with 8 additional ProTips and a comprehensive Pro Research Report available for subscribers looking to make informed investment decisions.
In other recent news, Merck & Co has experienced significant developments in its operations. The pharmaceutical giant has paused shipments of its Gardasil vaccine to China, leading to a lowered sales outlook. The company now expects to generate between $64.1 billion and $65.6 billion, a downward adjustment from the previous expectation of $67.4 billion.
On a positive note, Merck’s pneumococcal vaccine, CAPVAXIVE™, has received a favorable recommendation from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). This endorsement is a crucial step towards the vaccine’s potential marketing authorization within the European Union and other countries.
However, Merck is also facing a jury trial over allegations of improper marketing of its Gardasil vaccine. The case is centered around claims that the company exaggerated the vaccine’s benefits and minimized its risks.
In addition to these developments, Merck has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.81 per share and announced a $10 billion stock buyback program. Moreover, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review to Merck’s application for expanded use of its oral cancer drug, Welireg. These are the recent developments in the company’s operations.
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