Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is included among the Dividend Stock Portfolio for Income: 15 Stocks to Invest In.

On March 25, RBC reiterated an Outperform rating on Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) with a $142 price target. After the company held a conference call to discuss its proposed acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals (TERN), RBC Capital Markets analyst Trung Huynh said the “prevailing feedback” from investors has been one of disappointment. He noted that investors questioned the deal premium and why Terns would agree to what was described as a “modest premium” for a “high-probability asset.”

At the same time, Merck received positive comments. Investors viewed the company “as a savvy capital allocator addressing their upcoming patent cliff.” Still, the firm said some investors do not see this as the final outcome. There is an expectation that competing bidders could emerge or that shareholders may reject the deal altogether.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a global healthcare company that develops and delivers treatments through prescription medicines, including biologic therapies, vaccines, and animal health products. Its Pharmaceutical segment focuses on human health drugs and vaccines.

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