Merck stock lags industry as Keytruda dependency, Gardasil woes in China, and tariff risks cloud outlook despite pipeline strength and new launches.
Merck (NYSE:MRK) stock has experienced a significant 22% decline this year, sharply underperforming the broader S&P 500 index, which is down only 1%. This downturn can be attributed to several factors: a lowered guidance for 2025 and growing concerns about the long-term growth prospects of its blockbuster drugs, Keytruda and Gardasil.
The market has largely priced in the 2028 Keytruda patent cliff, with Merck trading at a discount reflecting aggressive revenue erosion assumptions. Merck is actively expanding in oncology, immunology, and vaccines through acquisitions and R&D, offering long-term optionality beyond Keytruda. Gardasil's China-driven slump has limited downside left, with stable ex-China growth and male-use approval offering medium-term recovery potential.
Merck & Co. is undervalued, trading at lower multiples than peers, due to concerns over patent expirations and recent financial volatility. Despite modest overall revenue growth, oncology—especially Keytruda—drives strong segment performance, offsetting declines in virology and diabetes products. Management is aggressively investing in R&D and manufacturing expansion, with a robust drug pipeline and significant capital commitments to future growth.
The IDeate-Esophageal01 study is set to evaluate Merck & Daiichi's ADC drug ifinatamab deruxtecan in pre-treated patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK ) BofA Securities 2025 Healthcare Conference May 14, 2025 1:40 PM ET Company Participants Jannie Oosthuizen - President Peter Dannenbaum - Senior Vice President, Investor Relations Marjorie Green - SVP, Head of Oncology Clinical Development Conference Call Participants Tim Anderson - Bank of America Tim Anderson Thanks for joining us for this, meeting. I'm Tim Anderson, the U.S. large-cap pharma and biotech analyst at Bank of America.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday it has approved the expanded use of Merck's cancer drug to treat two types adrenal gland tumors.
Merck Animal Health, a unit of Merck , said on Thursday it would invest $895 million to expand its manufacturing facility in De Soto, Kansas.
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The new facility will produce biologic drugs and Keytruda, becoming Merck's first in-house US site to make the blockbuster cancer treatment, the company said.
U.S. drugmaker Merck is investing $1 billion in a new Delaware plant to expand its domestic production as it prepares to deal with the looming impact from President Donald Trump's tariffs, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
The Delaware facility will ensure a domestic supply of biologic drugs including the cancer drug Keytruda.