$MRK

In Thursday morning trading, the Dow rose over 800 points to a 52-week high near 51,502, while the S&P 500 was flat and the Nasdaq fell about 0.7%, as investors rotated from chip stocks into healthcare, financials, and communication services. UnitedHealth (UNH) jumped after BofA upgraded to Buy with a $450 target; Morgan Stanley raised to $453. Broadcom (AVGO) fell over 15% after it did not raise AI revenue guidance for FY2026-27.

Merck (MRK) reported Q1 2026 total sales of $16.3B (+5% YoY) and raised full-year sales guidance to $65.8B-$67.0B. Gilead (GILD) posted Q1 2026 revenue of $7.0B (+5% YoY) and raised 2026 product sales guidance to $30.0B-$30.4B. CHMP recommended Trodelvy+Keytruda for first-line TNBC; ISLEND trials showed noninferior once-weekly lenacapavir+islatravir in HIV.

Guindo Chirfi (EVP, Access, Policy & Comms) sold 10,000 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) at $135.00 ($1.35M total) on 2026-08-13.

Zachary Jennifer (EVP, General Counsel) sold 80,315 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) at $133.46 ($10.72M total) on 2026-08-12.

Two Phase 3 trials (ISLEND-1, ISLEND-2) reported that people with HIV who switched from daily therapy to a once-weekly pill containing islatravir plus lenacapavir stayed virally suppressed at 48 weeks, meeting noninferiority margins. Results were presented at the International AIDS Conference and published in NEJM. Gilead and Merck are developing the regimen.

The article says Trump’s executive order would require MMR vaccine makers to produce single measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines and would remove several vaccines from the recommended list, with CDC revisions and potential legal action against states. Merck estimates compliance could cost $500 million and take until 2036. It cites studies finding no link between vaccines and autism.

A phase 2b trial presented at AIDS 2026 found once-weekly oral ART with islatravir/ulonivirine (ISL/ULO) maintained viral suppression at 24 weeks in 94.9% of 74 switch patients versus 97.5% of 77 continuing on daily BIC/FTC/TAF. Adverse events were similar overall, but drug-related events were higher with ISL/ULO (13% vs 0%). Trial funded by Merck.

At the AWIR annual conference, Richard A. Furie of Northwell Health said novel therapies are needed to reduce lupus morbidity and mortality, with unmet needs including lupus nephritis. He cited anifrolumab (AstraZeneca) subcutaneous results (56% BICLA vs 37% placebo) and discussed trials for litifilimab, enpatoran, belimumab, obinutuzumab, and CAR T-cells.

Biopharma M&A in 2026 is estimated at $130B across 42 deals, nearly matching 2025’s $133B, according to IQVIA. Average deal size rose to $3.1B. The article cites patent expirations as a driver and highlights deals including GSK-Nuvalent ($10.6B), Merck-Terns ($6.7B), AbbVie-Apogee ($10.9B), Curium-Lantheus (up to $8B), Eli Lilly-Centessa ($7.8B), and Sun Pharma-Organon ($11.75B).

US July inflation rose 0.1% month-on-month and slowed to 3.4% year-on-year, meeting forecasts and cooling expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike. CME FedWatch showed a 39.9% chance of a September hike. Stocks rose, led by Nasdaq. CoreWeave gained 19% on record revenue and a $104b backlog; Super Micro Computer rose 20%.