5 Best Large-Cap Stocks to Buy in 2024

4. Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK)

Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 85

Earlier this month Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK) posted strong fourth quarter results. Adjusted EPS in the quarter came in at $0.03, surpassing estimates by $0.14. Revenue jumped 6% year over year to $14.6 billion, beating estimates by $120 million.

For full-year 2024 Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK) expects adjusted EPS to come in the range of $8.44 and $8.59 versus the consensus estimate of $8.42 consensus.

Carillon Eagle Mid Cap Growth Fund made the following comment about Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:

“Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) underperformed in the third quarter, based on what we view as largely macroeconomic-related factors. The company continues to execute well, both clinically and fundamentally, but much of the biopharmaceutical industry has been weak as investors are gravitating to other, more cyclical sectors.”