Merck & Co. stock jumps as Q3 sales beat and outlook rises

Merck & Co. reported third-quarter 2026 results on October 29, 2026, with sales of USD 18.085 billion and non-GAAP earnings per share of USD 2.49. The figures were published in the company's official earnings release. At Lang & Schwarz, the stock stood at EUR 132.10 at 17:03:50 Berlin time on October 29, up 3.31% from EUR 127.87 at 17:07 Berlin time on October 27, the quote in the latest relevant prior report.

Sales growth broadens beyond oncology

Merck said total sales increased 5% year over year, or 4% excluding foreign-exchange effects. KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX generated USD 8.601 billion, including USD 830 million from the newer QLEX formulation. WINREVAIR sales rose 93% to USD 694 million, while the Animal Health business increased 4% to USD 1.676 billion.

Growth was supported by oncology, vaccines and newer products, although Merck said purchase timing contributed approximately USD 550 million to pharmaceutical growth. The company also reported pressure from generic competition affecting JANUVIA/JANUMET and BRIDION.

Full-year guidance moves higher

Merck raised its 2026 non-GAAP EPS outlook to USD 2.77-2.82 from USD 2.66-2.76. The sales forecast was narrowed at the lower end to USD 66.8-67.3 billion from USD 66.3-67.3 billion.

The updated adjusted earnings range includes a USD 0.12-per-share one-time charge tied to a global license agreement with SciBrunch. Merck's reported GAAP EPS was USD 2.04, compared with USD 2.32 in the year-earlier quarter, while non-GAAP EPS declined from USD 2.58.

Pipeline adds longer-term context

The release highlighted Phase 3 oncology data presented at ESMO, including the TroFuse-005 trial of sacituzumab tirumotecan and the INTerpath-001 trial conducted with Moderna. Merck said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepted the sac-TMT application for priority review and set a June 15, 2027 target action date.

The real-time quote of Merck & Co. stock provides the latest euro-denominated trading reference. The current quote and the comparison with the October 27 prior report are separate from a Xetra daily comparison, for which no verified October 29 closing basis is included here.

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