MRK

AI Research

Ex-dividend $0.85/share + cardio-pulmonary pipeline data → Keytruda 2028 cliff prep

Merck officially traded ex-dividend on March 16 with a quarterly payout of $0.85 per share, and announced new clinical data from its cardio-pulmonary pipeline with Wells Fargo raising its price target to $150 from $135. The company is actively expanding its drug pipeline to offset Keytruda's patent expiration in 2028, with the pipeline estimated to generate over $70 billion in potential commercial opportunities. Trading near $115, the stock benefits from a "flight to quality" in healthcare as high-margin drug manufacturers outperform service providers facing pricing pressure.

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