Ken Fisher’s Top 5 Healthcare Stock Picks

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

Fisher Asset Management’s Stake Value: $1,459,443,000

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 78

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) specializes in healthcare products for humans and animals, in addition to providing treatments for neurological disorders, cancer, and diabetes. On July 25, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) declared a $0.73 per share quarterly dividend, in line with previous. The dividend is payable on October 6, to shareholders of record on September 15. At the end of Q2 2023, Ken Fisher owned shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) worth $1.46 billion, making it one of his top healthcare plays. 

According to Insider Monkey’s second quarter database, a total of 78 hedge funds were bullish on Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK). In the last quarter, this number was 75. Cliff Asness’ AQR Capital Management held a prominent position in the company, with 2.9 million shares worth $331.8 million.

Baron Health Care Fund had this to say about Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in its second quarter 2023 investor letter:

“During the second quarter, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) filed the first lawsuit (followed by the filing of additional lawsuits by other parties) against the federal government challenging the constitutionality of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (the Program) that Congress established as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. In Merck’s complaint, Merck argues that the Program violates the Fifth Amendment because it allows the federal government to take Merck’s innovative drugs without providing just compensation for them. In addition, Merck argues the Program violates the First Amendment because it forces them to sign an agreement saying the government mandated prices are fair and the result of a negotiation when in fact, Merck argues, prices are not negotiated or fair. These lawsuits will take time to work their way through the legal process and in the meantime, the Program moves ahead on its scheduled path. The consensus view is that these lawsuits will not be successful, and the Program will remain in place. We suspect Merck’s arguments may convince at least a few U.S. Supreme Court Justices when the case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, but the ultimate outcome is impossible to predict. For now, we assume the Program will remain in place and invest with that framework in mind.”