tsla

MRK Sinks After Abandoning COVID-19 Vaccine Program

The equity has had a volatile run on the charts during the past 12 months

Digital Content Manager
Jan 25, 2021 at 9:47 AM
    facebook X logo linkedin


    The shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are off 1.2% to trade at $80 this morning, following news that the pharmaceutical company is ending its COVID-19 vaccine development program. The firm said both of its vaccines generated inferior immune responses, and plans to shift its focus to pandemic research on treatment, adding that its expects initial data on its experimental oral antiviral to be due out by the end of March. 

    The past 12 months have been quite choppy for MRK, though its most recent major pullback in December staged a bounce off the $78 mark, before running into trouble at the frequently resistant $86 level. Shares have once again pulled back to test their footing at the 200-day moving average, which has kept the security afloat numerous times during the past three months. 

    Despite its volatility, analysts are optimistic on the stock. Of the 13 in coverage, 10 say "strong buy." Plus, the 12-month consensus price target of $96.60 is a 20.8% premium to last night's close. 

    Option traders have taken a sunny outlook on MRK, too. This is per the equity's 10-day call/put volume ratio of 4.57 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), which stands higher than 78% of all other readings from the past year. This means long calls are being picked up at a relatively quicker-than-usual clip. 

     

     

    Two High-Octane Trade Ideas. One Simple Goal: Intraday Profits.

    Dynamite Day Trading Signals delivers two same-day options trades every week — powered by proprietary intraday analysis and 43+ years of trading expertise.

    But this isn’t just another stream of alerts.

    It’s a structured plan with clear entry and exit points – designed for traders who want to act fast, trade smart, and wrap up gains before the closing bell.

    No guesswork. No overnight exposure – Just two well-researched setups per week — whether you prefer buying premium or selling it.

    And the results speak for themselves: subscribers have locked in +245.8% total profit over the last six months (since inception!).

    👉 Start your one-month trial now for just $10, and be ready for the next trade alert.