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Investing.com - Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has reiterated an Equalweight rating and $99.00 price target on Merck (NYSE:MRK) stock following the company’s recent acquisition announcement. The stock currently trades at $104.77, with a market capitalization of $9.55 billion.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, with Merck planning to capitalize most of the purchase price as an intangible asset for Ohtuvayre, which will be amortized as a GAAP-only charge over the product’s life.
Merck has flexibility to finance the acquisition through a combination of cash, commercial paper, and new debt issuance, with approximately $14 billion in cash and equivalents reported as of the first quarter of 2025.
The deal is projected to negatively impact non-GAAP earnings per share by approximately $0.16 in the first 12 months, reflecting financing costs partially offset by Ohtuvayre sales performance.
Morgan Stanley notes the transaction is expected to become accretive to non-GAAP earnings per share in 2027 and for the full year 2028, with Merck indicating it remains financially well-positioned to pursue additional business development opportunities after completing this deal.
In other recent news, Merck announced its acquisition of Verona Pharma (NASDAQ:VRNA) for $107 per American Depository Share, valuing the deal at approximately $10 billion. This acquisition, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, aims to accelerate the development of Verona’s COPD treatment, ensifentrine. Analysts from BTIG and TD Cowen have downgraded Verona Pharma’s stock rating to Neutral and Hold, respectively, following the acquisition announcement. BTIG highlighted the impressive safety profile of ensifentrine, while TD Cowen noted the acquisition price reflects Verona’s multibillion-dollar potential in the market. Piper Sandler, however, maintained an Overweight rating, citing the successful market launch of Verona’s OHTUVAYRE, with projected sales of $91.8 million in the second quarter of 2025. Wall Street analysts estimate full-year sales for OHTUVAYRE to reach $409.1 million. Despite the acquisition news, Piper Sandler remains optimistic about OHTUVAYRE’s potential, pointing to strong patient retention and refill rates. The acquisition by Merck is seen as a strategic move to enhance its portfolio in respiratory disease treatments.
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