Wells Fargo Analyst Upgrades Merck (MRK) to Buy, Stock Rises 4%
Merck & Co. (MRK) shares climbed 4% on Monday after Wells Fargo's top analyst Mohit Bansal upgraded the pharmaceutical giant from Hold to Buy. The bullish call came with a significant price target increase—from $90 to $125—reflecting confidence in Merck's pipeline and its ability to offset revenue risks posed by the 2028 patent expiration of its flagship cancer drug, Keytruda.
Bansal highlighted a "catalyst-rich period" over the next 12-18 months, with multiple pipeline readouts expected. The analyst no longer anticipates a steep revenue decline in the 2029-2031 window, citing Merck's strategic business developments and new drug launches. At 8.7x 2026 estimated earnings, he argues the stock is undervalued given its portfolio strength.