Korea Investment 13F: Cuts Merck (MRK) Stake by $14M

Korea Investment Trims Merck Position

Korea Investment adjusted its portfolio by reducing its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) during the period, according to a recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. Because 13F filings look backward at past holdings, this report captures the position at that time and may not reflect the investor's current footprint.

Position Details and Share Count

The institutional investor cut its holdings by a 5.4% decrease, shedding 108,886 shares during the period. That left Korea Investment with 1,897,151 shares of the drug manufacturer, down from the previous total of 2,006,037 shares. Based on market values at the filing date, the remaining stake was worth about $243.8 million.

Stock Valuation and Price Range

Merck shares have traded within a 52-week range of $77.58 to $156.92. The stock trades above its 200-day moving average of $120.70, while sitting below its 50-day moving average of $138.39. The company has a trailing P/E ratio of 119.6 and a forward P/E ratio of 15.7.

Dividend Profile

Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend rate of $3.40 per share, which translates to a dividend yield of 2.31%. The company maintains a dividend payout ratio of 2.7, supporting regular returns for income-focused portfolios alongside its core pharmaceutical business.

Recent Insider Activity

Insiders have also adjusted their personal holdings in the pharmaceutical company. On June 30, 2026, insider Karsanbhai Surendralal Lanca bought 127 shares at a price of $128.50 for a total of $16,319.50. On the same date, Christine Seidman purchased 63 shares at $128.50 per share, valuing the transaction at $8,095.50. Additionally, Coe Mary Ellen picked up 234 shares at $128.50 apiece, totaling $30,069.00.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Wall Street firms continue to update their views on the stock. On October 12, 2026, Citigroup maintained its Neutral rating on Merck while raising its price target from $125.00 to $145.00. On the same day, RBC Capital maintained a Sector Perform rating and lowered its target from $150.00 to $145.00. Cantor Fitzgerald kept a Neutral rating on October 8, 2026, lifting its target to $145.00 from $120.00. Morgan Stanley maintained an Overweight rating on October 7, 2026, adjusting its target from $179.00 down to $177.00. JP Morgan kept an Overweight rating on October 5, 2026, raising its target to $165.00 from $150.00. Scotiabank maintained a Sector Outperform rating on September 29, 2026, boosting its target to $180.00 from $155.00. HSBC maintained a Buy rating on September 10, 2026, increasing its price target to $172.00 from $150.00. Finally, Leerink Partners maintained an Outperform rating on September 9, 2026, raising its target from $127.00 to $161.00. Overall, the stock carries a consensus buy recommendation with a mean price target of $152.96 across 26 analyst opinions.

Merck & Co., Inc. Business Overview

Headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, Merck & Co., Inc. develops and distributes human health pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health products worldwide. Its major treatments include key oncology and vaccine brands like Keytruda and Gardasil. The company was founded in 1891 and employs roughly 73,000 people.

What's Ahead for Merck & Co., Inc.

Market participants will look toward Merck's next earnings report, scheduled for October 29, 2026, to gauge ongoing revenue trends and product sales. Institutional filings offer a window into past portfolio shifts, but investors should monitor newer disclosures for up-to-date position changes.