Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is included among the 15 Best Safe Dividend Stocks for 2026.
On March 12, Wells Fargo raised its price recommendation on Merck & Co., Inc. to $150 from $135. It maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm said Sac-TMT has the potential to become the best-in-class TROP2 antibody-drug conjugate. Analysts believe it could eventually replace chemotherapy in several lung, breast, and gynecologic cancer indications.
In a separate development, Reuters reported on February 27 that Merck plans to lay off about 150 employees at its facility in North Carolina that produces the human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil. The information came from a notice filed in the state’s database. Gardasil has been one of Merck’s key growth drivers after its blockbuster cancer immunotherapy Keytruda. Much of the vaccine’s international expansion has come from China. The company stopped shipments of the vaccine to China last year after demand weakened. As a result, global Gardasil sales fell 39% in 2025.
The vaccine helps protect against HPV infections that can lead to cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers. Company management said last month that Gardasil is no longer considered a major growth driver. The layoffs are expected to take effect in May, according to the notice.
Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a global healthcare company. It provides health solutions through prescription medicines, including biologic therapies, vaccines, and animal health products. Its Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products.
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