5 Stocks Making Headlines Following Earnings Reports

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

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 77

Shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) slipped nearly four percent on Thursday, February 3, 2022, even after posting its fourth-quarter profit and sales above expectations. The New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company reported adjusted earnings of $1.80 per share, representing a big jump from 98 cents per share in the year-ago period.

Revenue for the quarter also climbed 24 percent versus last year to $13.5 billion. Analysts were expecting Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to post earnings of $1.53 per share on revenue of $13.156 billion.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) also released its segment-wise sales performance. Revenue from its pharmaceutical unit jumped 23 percent on a year-over-year basis to $12 billion. In comparison, revenue from the animal health segment rose 8 percent versus last year to $1.3 billion.

Looking forward, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) expects adjusted earnings of $7.12 – $7.27 per share and revenue of $56.1 – $57.6 billion for 2022. This compares to the consensus forecast of $7.30 per share for earnings and $56.7 billion for revenue.

Speaking on the results, CEO Robert Davis said in a statement:

“We enter 2022 with strong momentum and are moving with speed to bring forward innovations that address critical unmet needs and contribute to global health. This remains at the core of our strategy, and why we are focused on benefitting the patients we serve, and in turn creating long-term value for our shareholders.”