Fort Washington Investment Advisors 13F: Cuts MRK Stake by $36M

Fort Washington Investment Advisors disclosed a reduction in its holdings of Merck & Co., Inc. on October 15, 2026. The firm cut its stake by 247,581 shares, bringing its total to 419,350 shares. This position is valued at about $60.9 million.

What Changed in Fort Washington Investment Advisors' Merck Position

The firm decreased its holdings in Merck by 37.1%. This move comes as part of a broader strategy that some funds are employing in the healthcare sector.

Other Institutional Activity in Merck

Meanwhile, other significant players also adjusted their positions in Merck. Blackrock Inc. grew its holdings by 1,174,293 shares, ending with about 226.9 million shares worth approximately $33.1 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC added 338,069 shares, bringing its total to about 161.3 million shares valued at around $23.5 billion. State Street Corporation increased its stake by 1,085,879 shares, totaling about 120.4 million shares worth nearly $17.6 billion. Wellington Management Group, LLP gained 1,930,891 shares, resulting in approximately 86.2 million shares valued at about $12.6 billion. Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC also grew its position by 437,460 shares, ending with about 67.7 million shares valued at approximately $9.9 billion.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Up 1.1%

Merck's recent share price was around $146.78 as of October 16, 2026. This price is below its 52-week high of $156.92 but above its 50-day moving average by 1.4%. This positioning might suggest a potential for recovery or growth amid a fluctuating healthcare market.

Recent Earnings

Merck reported trailing-twelve-month revenue of about $66.6 billion and an EPS of $1.26. The company has shown a revenue growth of 5.1% year-over-year. Its next earnings report is scheduled for October 29, 2026.

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

Recent insider trading revealed that Karsanbhai Surendralal Lanca purchased 127 shares at an average price of $128.50 on June 30, 2026. Meanwhile, several insiders, including Richard Robert Deluca Jr. and Jennifer L Zachary, sold significant portions of their holdings in August 2026.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On October 5, 2026, JP Morgan maintained an Overweight rating for Merck with a price target of $165.00, which was raised from a previous target of $150.00. Morgan Stanley followed suit, keeping its Overweight rating with a target of $177.00. Cantor Fitzgerald and Citigroup both maintained Neutral ratings, each setting price targets of $145.00.

About Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global healthcare company that develops a wide range of pharmaceuticals. Its portfolio includes important drugs like Keytruda and Gardasil, which are used in cancer treatment and vaccine applications, respectively. This recent position cut by Fort Washington Investment Advisors reflects changing strategies among major investors in the healthcare sector.

Bottom Line

Keep an eye on Merck's upcoming earnings report on October 29, 2026, and further filings that could indicate how institutional investors are adjusting their strategies. This 13F filing by Fort Washington may not represent their current position, as these filings reflect past holdings during the reported quarter.