Merck Raises FY2026 Guidance on Strong Q3 Results, Shares Rise 2.1% Pre-Market

Merck & Co. (MRK) on Thursday raised its adjusted earnings and net sales guidance for full-year 2026, citing third-quarter financial results. The company now projects adjusted earnings of $2.77 to $2.82 per share on sales of $66.8 billion to $67.3 billion. The updated outlook includes a one-time charge of $0.12 per share tied to a global license agreement with SciBrunch Therapeutics Co., Ltd. Merck previously guided adjusted earnings of $2.66 to $2.76 per share on sales of $66.3 billion to $67.3 billion. Shares of the biopharmaceutical company, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, traded at $144.01 on the NYSE in Thursday's pre-market session, up $2.97, or 2.11 percent.