Stock Update (NYSE:MRK): Drug Manufacturers – Major Stocks on our Scanner — Pfizer, AbbVie, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson

[Accesswire] – NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2016 / Park Lane Advisor has initiated coverage on the following equities: Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV), Merck & Company Inc. (NASDAQ: MRK), … Read more on this. Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) , valued at $142.32B, began trading this morning at $51.35. Today’s price range has been between $50.76 and $51.44 per share with its 52-week range being $45.69 to $63.02. MRK shares are currently priced at 14.38x this year’s forecasted earnings, which makes them relatively expensive compared to the industry ’s -2.14x earnings multiple. The company pays shareholders $1.84 per share annually in dividends, yielding 3.58%. Consensus earnings for the current quarter by the 18 sell-side analysts covering the stock is an estimate of $0.91 per share, which would be $0.04 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.02 sequential increase. The full-year EPS estimate is $3.57, which would be a $0.08 better than last year. The quarterly earnings estimate is predicated on a consensus revenue forecast of $10.34 Billion. If reported, that would be a 1.34% decrease over the year-ago quarter. More recently, Berenberg Initiated MRK at Hold (Nov 24, 2015). Previously, Piper Jaffray Initiated MRK at to Neutral. The average price target for MRK shares by the analysts covering it is $61.26, which is 19.30% above where the stock opened. See more in (NYSE:MRK) Similar Articles: Stock Update (NYSE:PFE): Drug Manufacturers – Major Stocks on our Scanner — Pfizer, AbbVie, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson Market Update: Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK) – FDA approves Merck drug to reverse effects of muscle relaxants Stock Update (NYSE:MRK): Panel recommends Merck & Co continue cholesterol drug study