Merck stock holds near a 52-week high after Q2 beat
Published on 08/13/2026 at 14:18 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Merck & Co., Inc. stock is holding near a 52-week high after the company reported $16.61 billion in second-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings of $2.76 a share, both topping expectations, while the shares closed at $133.085 on August 12, 2026.
That backdrop matters because the latest numbers also showed a clear comparison: revenue rose 5.1% from a year earlier, and the stock ended the session close to its 52-week high of $135.05 with a market value of $329.34 billion.
Pipeline news adds support
Merck's RSV program drew fresh attention after recent coverage said the FDA and the European Medicines Agency accepted broader ENFLONSIA applications for young children at increased risk of severe RSV. The same report noted that analysts lifted Merck's FY2026 EPS estimate to $2.75, while the company kept its guidance range at $2.66 to $2.76 a share.
The comparison is useful for investors: the new estimate of $2.75 sits inside Merck's own full-year EPS range, and it is also close to the $2.77 consensus cited in the same coverage.
What the quarter showed
The August 4, 2026 quarter gave the shares a concrete anchor. Revenue of $16.61 billion beat the $16.37 billion estimate, and adjusted EPS of $2.76 beat the $2.60 consensus implied by the reported figures.
Merck also said revenue growth came from Keytruda, oncology launches and animal health, which is important because it shows the quarter was not driven by a single product line alone.
More on Merck's business
Keytruda remains the central product to watch, but ENFLONSIA has become a relevant second pillar because it is tied to an RSV prevention label expansion and a broader pediatric opportunity. That gives the pipeline a concrete catalyst beyond the oncology franchise.
Closing view
Merck shares finished August 12, 2026 at $133.085, up 2.04%, with a 52-week range of $77.58 to $135.05 and market capitalization of $329.34 billion. The stock is already trading very close to that high-water mark.
Fact box
Company: Merck & Co., Inc.
ISIN: US58933Y1055
Ticker: MRK
Exchange: NYSE
Price (as of August 12, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET): $133.085 USD
Market cap: $329.34 billion (as of August 12, 2026)
Sector / Industry: Health Care / Pharmaceuticals
Index membership: S&P 500
Next earnings date: October 29, 2026
