New Jersey-based Merck MRK is a global research-driven pharmaceutical products company. Well known products in Merck's portfolio include Remicade, Nasonex, Simponi, Vytorin and Zetia, Januvia and Janumet, Isentress, PegIntron, Maxalt, Cosopt/Trusopt, Temodar, Emend, Keytruda, Cozaar/Hyzaar, Zocor, Proscar, ProQuad, Gardasil, RotaTeq, Zostavax and NuvaRing.
However, like many of its peers, Merck is facing headwinds in the form of generic competition for several key products. The company sold off its Consumer Care business to Bayer for $14.2 billion in Oct 2014. Meanwhile, Merck acquired hepatitis C virus focused company Idenix in Aug 2014 and Cubist in 2015. Merck is also focusing on immuno-oncology.
MRK has a pretty good earnings track record with the company delivering positive earnings surprises in each of the last four quarters with an average surprise of 7.17%.
Currently, MRK has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could definitely change following the company's earnings report which was just released. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:
Earnings Beat : MRK beat on fourth quarter earnings by a couple of cents. The company reported EPS of 93 cents while our consensus called for EPS of 91 cents.
Revenue Miss : Merck's fourth quarter revenues came in at $10.215 billion, falling short of consensus estimates of $10.453 billion. Currency fluctuation hit revenues by 7%.
2016 Outlook : Merck expects 2016 earnings in the range of $3.60 - $3.75 per share, including negative currency impact of approximately 4%. Revenues are expected in the range of $38.7 billion - $40.2 billion, including a negative currency impact of about 3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings and revenues is currently $3.74 per share and $40.4 billion, respectively.
Check back later for our full write up on this MRK earnings report!
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MERCK & CO INC (MRK): Free Stock Analysis Report
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
