5 Most Profitable S&P 500 Stocks to Buy Now

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

On March 20, 2026, Citi raised the price target on Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to $125 from $120 and maintained a Neutral rating.

On March 18, 2026, Merck’s Animal Health division announced that the FDA approved an expanded label for Bravecto Quantum in dogs, adding treatment and control for additional tick species for up to 12 months with a single injection. The product, first approved in July 2025, remains available through licensed veterinarians and continues to cover fleas and multiple tick infestations.

On March 16, 2026, the company also said new data from its cardio-pulmonary pipeline will be presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting, including results from the Phase 3 CORALreef AddOn trial evaluating enlicitide and the Phase 2 CADENCE trial evaluating Winrevair.

Earlier in March, Wells Fargo raised its price target on Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to $150 from $135 and maintained an Overweight rating, stating that Sac-TMT could become “best-in-class” and potentially replace chemotherapy across several indications.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) develops and markets pharmaceutical and vaccine products across a wide range of therapeutic areas.