• Cowen & Co. maintains a "Hold" rating for Merck, with a price target increase from $100 to $120, indicating optimism about the company's future performance.
• Merck and Moderna's cancer vaccine study shows a 49% reduction in the risk of relapse or death for melanoma patients, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment.
• The combination of the experimental vaccine with Keytruda demonstrates a sustained benefit over five years, highlighting the potential impact on serious skin cancer treatment.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a global healthcare company that develops and manufactures a wide range of pharmaceutical products. The company is known for its innovative research in areas such as oncology, vaccines, and infectious diseases. Merck faces competition from other pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

On January 20, 2026, Cowen & Co. maintained its "Hold" rating for Merck, with the stock priced at $108.83. Despite this, TD Cowen raised Merck's price target from $100 to $120, as highlighted by TheFly. This suggests optimism about Merck's future performance, possibly influenced by recent developments in their cancer vaccine study.

Merck, in collaboration with Moderna, reported promising results from their cancer vaccine study. The vaccine, aimed at treating melanoma, showed a significant reduction in the risk of relapse or death among patients. This positive outcome from a Phase 2b trial marks a significant advancement in cancer treatment, potentially leading to new therapeutic options for melanoma patients.

The experimental skin cancer vaccine, when combined with Merck's Keytruda, demonstrated a 49% reduction in the risk of recurrence or death in a mid-stage trial. This sustained benefit over five years highlights the potential impact of the vaccine in treating serious skin cancers. The combination therapy's success underscores Merck's commitment to advancing cancer treatment.

Merck's current stock price is $108.83, reflecting a 1.93% decrease with a change of $2.14. The stock has traded between $108.43 and $110.72 today, with a market capitalization of approximately $271.83 billion. The trading volume for MRK is 10.72 million shares, indicating active investor interest amidst these promising developments.