10 Defensive Stocks Billionaire Ken Fisher Is Betting On

5. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)

Beta Value: 0.45

Dividend Yield: 3.98%

Fisher Asset Management’s Q4 Stake: $1.6 billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 91

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is an American multinational pharmaceutical company with a history that dates back to the formation of the Merck Group in Germany back in 1668. The company is known for providing prescription drugs, vaccines, biologic medicines, and animal health products.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) posted strong financial results for Q4 2024, with revenue up 7% year on year to $15.6 billion. Merck’s strong market position has allowed the business to generate substantial cash flow, reinforcing its emphasis on shareholder returns. Notably, Keytruda sales increased by 18% over the previous year, reaching $29.5 billion.

In a February 24 report, DBS analyst Nico Chen confirmed a Buy rating for Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK). He maintained his $100 price target and attributed his upbeat view to Keytruda’s rapid growth. According to the analyst, this blockbuster cancer medicine has increased revenue dramatically and is continuing to grow internationally. Additionally, the analyst believes that Merck’s financial outlook remains positive, with predicted net income growth and reduced patent expiration risks than rivals.