Merck's $0.91 Billion Volume Ranked 111th as Mixed Earnings Highlight China-Linked GARDASIL Decline and Strong Oncology Growth

On August 13, 2025, Merck (MRK) closed at $82.34, down 0.45% from its previous close, with a trading volume of $0.91 billion, ranking 111th in market activity. The stock had earlier risen 3.00% during regular hours.

Merck’s Q2 2025 results showed mixed performance. Revenue fell 1.9% year-over-year to $15.8 billion, driven by a sharp 55% decline in GARDASIL vaccine sales due to weakened demand in China, which reduced overall growth by 9 percentage points. However, non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $2.13 exceeded estimates by $0.10, supported by strong oncology sales. KEYTRUDA revenue grew 9% to $8.0 billion, while animal health and new product launches, including WINREVAIR (cumulative $1 billion in sales), offset some declines.

Management reaffirmed full-year revenue guidance of $64.8 billion and adjusted EPS of $8.92. A $3.0 billion cost-optimization initiative aims to reinvest savings into pipeline development and new product commercialization. Analysts highlighted concerns over GARDASIL’s long-term prospects in China and potential impacts of KEYTRUDA’s patent expiry, though management emphasized diversification and growth from emerging therapies.

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