Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Merck & Co.
Looking at options history for Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) we detected 9 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 66% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 22% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 2 are puts, for a total amount of $69,435 and 7, calls, for a total amount of $1,203,898.
Expected Price Movements
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $85.0 to $95.0 for Merck & Co during the past quarter.
Volume & Open Interest Trends
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Merck & Co stands at 8273.17, with a total volume reaching 10,621.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Merck & Co, situated within the strike price corridor from $85.0 to $95.0, throughout the last 30 days.
Merck & Co 30-Day Option Volume & Interest Snapshot
Largest Options Trades Observed:
| Symbol | PUT/CALL | Trade Type | Sentiment | Exp. Date | Ask | Bid | Price | Strike Price | Total Trade Price | Open Interest | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRK | CALL | SWEEP | BEARISH | 04/17/25 | $3.75 | $3.5 | $3.5 | $90.00 | $443.5K | 12.3K | 2.5K |
| MRK | CALL | SWEEP | BULLISH | 04/17/25 | $3.5 | $3.4 | $3.5 | $90.00 | $351.0K | 12.3K | 1.2K |
| MRK | CALL | TRADE | BULLISH | 03/21/25 | $2.35 | $2.15 | $2.35 | $90.00 | $234.5K | 10.7K | 2.0K |
| MRK | CALL | TRADE | BULLISH | 04/17/25 | $1.73 | $1.7 | $1.72 | $95.00 | $49.3K | 6.3K | 823 |
| MRK | CALL | SWEEP | BULLISH | 12/19/25 | $11.6 | $11.25 | $11.6 | $85.00 | $46.4K | 307 | 20 |
About Merck & Co
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent pediatric diseases as well as human papillomavirus, or HPV. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the company's sales are generated in the United States.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Merck & Co, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
Where Is Merck & Co Standing Right Now?
- With a trading volume of 4,348,312, the price of MRK is up by 0.87%, reaching $90.16.
- Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching oversold.
- Next earnings report is scheduled for 56 days from now.
Expert Opinions on Merck & Co
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $108.6.
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20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. Click here for access. * An analyst from Citigroup persists with their Buy rating on Merck & Co, maintaining a target price of $115. * In a cautious move, an analyst from Deutsche Bank downgraded its rating to Hold, setting a price target of $105. * Maintaining their stance, an analyst from BMO Capital continues to hold a Market Perform rating for Merck & Co, targeting a price of $96. * Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from B of A Securities keeps a Buy rating on Merck & Co with a target price of $112. * An analyst from Guggenheim persists with their Buy rating on Merck & Co, maintaining a target price of $115.
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Merck & Co options trades with real-time alerts from Benzinga Pro.
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