Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) Sells Merck (MRK) Stock

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar sold shares of Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK) on September 24, 2026, valued between $1,001 and $15,000. This transaction was disclosed on October 7, 2026, in a periodic transaction report filed under the STOCK Act.

What Changed in Maria Elvira Salazar's Position

Salazar's recent sale reflects her ongoing trading activity. This marks another move in her portfolio as she continues to manage her holdings in various companies.

Other Institutional Activity in Merck & Co.

Several major institutional investors have recently adjusted their positions in Merck. Blackrock Inc. grew its holdings by 1,174,293 shares, bringing its total to 226,999,837 shares worth about $33.1 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC increased its stake by 338,069 shares, totaling 161,323,174 shares valued at approximately $23.5 billion. State Street Corporation added 1,085,879 shares, ending with 120,413,256 shares worth around $17.6 billion. Wellington Management Group, LLP raised its position by 1,930,891 shares, totaling 86,249,283 shares valued at about $12.6 billion. Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC increased its holdings by 437,460 shares, totaling 67,738,969 shares worth around $9.9 billion.

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Up 1.1%

As of October 16, 2026, Merck shares recently traded around $146.78, which is above its 50-day moving average by about 1.4%. However, the stock is about 6.5% below its 52-week high of $156.92. The mean price target among analysts is $158.64, suggesting that analysts see potential for growth from current levels.

Recent Earnings

Merck reported trailing twelve-month revenue of approximately $66.6 billion, reflecting a year-over-year revenue growth of 5.1%. The company's earnings per share (EPS) for the same period was $1.26. Merck is set to announce its next earnings report on October 29, 2026, which could provide further insights into its financial performance.

Dividend

Merck pays an annual dividend of $3.40 per share, yielding about 2.34%. The company's dividend payout ratio is quite high at 266.7%, indicating it pays out more than its earnings in dividends, which may raise questions about sustainability.

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

Several insiders have sold shares recently. Chirfi Guindo, an officer, sold 15,000 shares on August 6, 2026, valued at about $1.97 million at an average price of $131.00. Another officer, Richard Robert Deluca Jr., sold 45,320 shares on August 12, 2026, valued at approximately $5.94 million. General Counsel Jennifer L Zachary sold 80,315 shares also on August 12, 2026, valued at about $10.7 million at an average price of $133.46. Guindo made another sale of 10,000 shares on August 13, 2026, valued at $1.35 million at an average price of $135.00.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On September 9, 2026, Leerink Partners maintained an 'Outperform' rating with a target price of $161.00, up from $127.00. HSBC also maintained a 'Buy' rating on September 10, 2026, with a price target of $172.00, increased from $150.00. Scotiabank maintained a 'Sector Outperform' rating with a target of $180.00 on September 29, 2026. JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley also reaffirmed their ratings with targets of $165.00 and $177.00, respectively, in early October.

About Merck & Co.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global healthcare company based in Rahway, New Jersey. It develops and produces a wide range of pharmaceuticals, including vaccines and treatments for various diseases. The company's well-known products include Keytruda, Gardasil, and Januvia. Salazar's recent trade highlights her active management of her investment portfolio as she navigates the healthcare sector, particularly as Merck continues to innovate in drug development.

Bottom Line

Investors should keep an eye on Merck's upcoming earnings report on October 29, 2026, as it may provide insights into the company’s performance and outlook. Additionally, Salazar's trading activity reflects her ongoing engagement with her portfolio, which may be worth monitoring in the context of her other recent trades.