| Merck KGaA (DE0006599905) | |||
112,40 EURStand (close): 01.07.25 |
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| 25.06.25 15:00:00 | MilliporeSigma and "Abbott Elementary" Inspire Students' Curiosity With Hands-On STEM |  |
| NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / June 25, 2025 / Between September 2024 and April 2025, MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, teamed up with the award-winning ABC comedy series "Abbott Elementary" to elevate the importance of STEM education. Alongside employee volunteers from MilliporeSigma, more than 3,400 students at 14 events across Boston, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, San Jose and Washington, D.C., experienced the thrilling ‘aha' moments of science through hands-on learning. These interactive experiences opened students' eyes to the vast and diverse career opportunities within STEM. MilliporeSigma volunteers-ranging from scientists to packaging specialists, project managers and more, led the experiments, showcasing the many paths a STEM career can take. "I love sharing my passion for STEM with local, curious students," said Natalie Randolph, Curiosity Cube Program Manager, MilliporeSigma. "It's vital for those of us who work in science to show young students what a career in STEM can look like. Who knows, maybe one of the students who visited the Curiosity Cube will be my colleague in the future, bringing new and innovative ideas to the field!" Each student visiting the Curiosity Cube walked away feeling inspired by STEM and received an "Abbott Elementary" planter kit to plant the seeds of STEM and continue their learning at home. Stream "Abbott Elementary" on Hulu. To learn more about the Curiosity Cube mobile science lab, visit TheCuriosityCube.com and follow the Curiosity Cube on Instagram @curiositycube_milliporesigma. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from MilliporeSigma on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: MilliporeSigma Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/milliporesigma Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: MilliporeSigma View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire View Comments |
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| 18.06.25 12:00:00 | MilliporeSigma Announces Neoclease as Winner of 2025 North American Advance Biotech Grant | |
| Neoclease receives Millipore Sigma’s North American Advance Biotech Grant. Winner’s lead therapy targets Parkinson’s disease; platform addresses 6,000+ genetic disorders Neoclease gains access to MilliporeSigma’s technologies and expert support to scale its AI-designed gene-editing platform The company has awarded 40+ startups globally through Advance Biotech Grant since 2014 BURLINGTON, Mass., June 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced Neoclease as the winner of the 2025 North American Advance Biotech Grant. The Boston-based biotech startup develops AI-designed gene editing therapies for Parkinson’s disease. "We’re committed to empowering biotech innovators who are advancing transformative modalities like gene editing," said Sebastián Arana, Head of Process Solutions, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "By combining Neoclease’s AI-designed gene-editing platform with our technologies, regulatory expertise, and process support, we aim to help accelerate new treatments that minimize side effects and maximize effectiveness for patients." Neoclease’s platform combines generative AI and synthetic biology to develop next-generation, precision gene-editing therapies. Neoclease’s lead candidate, NCX-L2, is designed to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease – a condition that currently has no disease-modifying treatments. More broadly, Neoclease’s approach has the potential to address more than 6,000 monogenic diseases by targeting the root causes of illness rather than only managing symptoms. As part of the grant, Neoclease will receive access to MilliporeSigma’s products, technologies, and contract testing services, as well as expert consultation and training through the M Lab™ Collaboration Center and Emprove® program. M Lab™ Collaboration Centers offer hands-on technical solutions and process optimization, while the Emprove® Program simplifies risk management and regulatory compliance through quality products, detailed documentation, and dedicated support. These resources will support Neoclease in scaling its processes, optimizing manufacturing, and navigating regulatory requirements. The Advance Biotech Grant Program, launched in 2014, reflects the ongoing commitment of the life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany to supporting early-stage biotech companies developing innovative therapies for patients. To date, more than 40 companies worldwide have received grants and technical support across a wide range of therapeutic areas including cancer, neurological diseases, and cardiovascular disorders. The company will continue this global effort with upcoming grant awards in Asia-Pacific (October) and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (November). Story Continues About the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany The Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, has more than 26,000 employees and more than 55 total manufacturing and testing sites worldwide, with a portfolio of more than 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing and testing services. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics. Around 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2024, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21.2 billion in 65 countries. The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company’s technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. For more information about Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, visit www.emdgroup.com. Follow MilliporeSigma on Twitter @MilliporeSigma, on Facebook @MilliporeSigma and on LinkedIn. All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register again for your online subscription of this service as our newly introduced geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250618529191/en/ Contacts Media Relations daniel.sherling@milliporesigma.com Phone: +1.314.296.8288 View Comments |
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| 26.05.25 15:25:00 | SpringWorks Gets CHMP Nod for Mirdametinib in Rare Disease | |
| SpringWorks Therapeutics SWTX announced that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has rendered a positive opinion recommending conditional marketing authorization for its MEK inhibitor, mirdametinib, for a rare genetic disorder. The CHMP has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorization to mirdametinib for the treatment of symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas (PN) in pediatric and adult patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) aged two years and above. The European Commission will now review the CHMP’s opinion and a decision from the regulatory body is expected in the third quarter of 2025. The EMA validated the marketing authorization application (MAA) for mirdametinib last August. If approved, mirdametinib would become the first and only therapy to receive marketing authorization for treating adults and children with NF1-PN in the European Union. The FDA approved mirdametinib under the brand name Gomekli for treating adult and pediatric patients aged two years and older with NF1-PN in February 2025. Gomekli generated sales worth $4.9 million in the United States during the first quarter of 2025. Year to date, shares of SpringWorks have risen 28.6% against the industry’s decline of 5.5%.Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research SWTX Set to be Acquired by Merck KGaA In April 2025, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced that it had agreed to acquire SpringWorks for $47 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of approximately $3.9 billion. The transaction is expected to be closed in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. The acquisition of SpringWorks will add its oral gamma-secretase inhibitor, Ogsiveo (nirogacestat), to Merck KGaA’s portfolio. Ogsiveo was approved in the United States for treating adult patients with desmoid tumors in November 2023. Ogsiveo is the first and only FDA-approved treatment indicated specifically for desmoid tumors. Ogsiveo generated sales worth $172 million in 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, the drug recorded sales of $44.1 million in the United States. Several label expansion studies on Ogsiveo, targeting different cancer indications, are currently ongoing. Notably, the EMA validated the MAA for Ogsiveo for the treatment of adult patients with desmoid tumors in February 2024. The CHMP’s opinion related to the MAA for Ogsiveo is expected later in the second quarter of 2025. The impending acquisition by Merck KGaA will help SpringWorks to reach global markets and build on the resources, helping more patients with such rare tumors. Story Continues SWTX's Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider SpringWorks currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Halozyme Therapeutics HALO, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals LXRX and Amarin AMRN, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. In the past 60 days, estimates for Halozyme’s earnings per share have increased from $5.02 to $5.23 for 2025. During the same time, earnings per share estimates for 2026 have increased from $6.56 to $6.77. Year to date, shares of HALO have risen 14.1%. HALO’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 17.60%. In the past 60 days, estimates for Lexicon’s loss per share have narrowed from 37 cents to 32 cents for 2025. During the same time, loss per share estimates for 2026 have narrowed from 35 cents to 31 cents. Year to date, shares of LXRX have lost 10.7%. LXRX’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the same on the remaining occasion, delivering an average surprise of 11.97%. In the past 60 days, estimates for Amarin’s loss per share have narrowed from $5.33 to $3.48 for 2025. During the same time, loss per share estimates for 2026 have narrowed from $4.13 to $2.67. Year to date, shares of AMRN have gained 14.5%. AMRN’s earnings beat estimates in two of the trailing four quarters, matched once and missed the same on the remaining occasion, delivering an average surprise of 29.11%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (HALO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (LXRX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Amarin Corporation PLC (AMRN) : Free Stock Analysis Report SpringWorks Therapeutics (SWTX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research View Comments |
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| 23.05.25 07:00:00 | Queens of influence: Meet the women shaping Europe’s future | |
| Just a few months into 2025, it became clear that the year would be unlike any other in recent memory, because of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde characterized the uncertainty as “high and rising.” Companies have acknowledged that what lies ahead will be impossible to predict. Among those faced with the changing world order are some of the Most Powerful Women in business. Now in its 28th year, the annual ranking recognizes 100 women leading major global companies. This year, 21 listees are at the helm of European companies. Whether running some of the world’s biggest fashion houses or energy companies, they embody Europe’s female leadership power. 21 That also means the ever-shifting tariff crisis affects some of their businesses directly or indirectly. For instance, British pharma giant GSK makes 50% of its revenue from the U.S. GSK is “a global company, and pharma supply chains are complex … so we have options to mitigate what may come,” Emma Walmsley, GSK’s CEO, tells Fortune. “It’s not wrong to say being a CEO is a lonely job, but it’s a lot less lonely when you work alongside extraordinary people.” MPW leaders tell Fortune that the onus of navigating a nebulous world will not just fall on the top tier. It will need collective intelligence and synchrony from different experts and geographies. “It’s not wrong to say being a CEO is a lonely job, but it’s a lot less lonely when you work alongside extraordinary people.” “I don’t claim to know everything or have all the answers,” notes Belén Garijo, CEO of German giant Merck Group. But the company of 62,000 people in life science, health care, and tech always plans for various scenarios. “It’s never just about me. One of my key leadership principles is to surround myself with smart, capable people,” Garijo says. Emma Walmsley (ranked #20 on MPW) CEO GSK — U.K. Walmsley, one of pharma’s most powerful bosses, is entering the ninth year of her ambitious turnaround mission at GSK, driving the company forward in discoveries related to cancer and antimicrobial resistance, while doubling down on AI. Walmsley started her career at L’Oréal. She worked for the French cosmetic company for 17 years, holding various general management and marketing roles in Paris, London, and New York. In 2010 she joined GSK as president of Consumer Healthcare Europe, and took over as CEO in 2017. A turning point for Walmsley during her career at GSK was the breakthrough of Arexvy, the world’s first RSV vaccine, which generated $1.6 billion in sales in its first year after launching in the third quarter of 2023. The vaccine was a triumph for the pharma company after it failed to develop a COVID jab. Story Continues In 2024, GSK doubled sales of its cancer treatments, taking total company revenue to $41.7 billion. GSK is currently exploring technological advancements aimed at leveraging AI to hasten drug discovery. Walmsley is an independent director at Microsoft. Her pay packet rose to $13.3 million as reward for her company’s top-line growth. Anna Borg (ranked #37 on MPW) President and CEO Vattenfall — Sweden Borg leads one of the largest European energy companies, with 21,000 employees across the continent. Vattenfall is now collaborating with Swedish industry to double fossil-free electricity production in the coming decades. Borg’s company has also committed to invest $17 billion over the next five years in projects like Dutch offshore wind farms. Vattenfall aims to reach net-zero across its entire emissions chain by 2040. Belén Garijo (ranked #39 on MPW) Chair of Executive Board and CEO Merck KGaA — Germany A doctor by training, Garijo entered the pharmaceutical business, eventually heading up the integration of biotech Genzyme into parent Sanofi-Aventis. In 2011 she joined the health care arm of Germany’s Merck KGaA, turning the business around and realigning its portfolio to focus on oncology and immunology. This year, her fifth as president and CEO of a company with 63,000 employees, saw Garijo signing a $3.9 billion deal to acquire SpringWorks Therapeutics. Margherita Della Valle (ranked #80 on MPW) Group CEO Vodafone — U.K. Della Valle took Vodafone’s helm in 2023, making her the first female chief in the history of the British telecommunications company. Della Valle, who has spent three decades at Vodafone (most recently as its CFO), is tasked with boosting profits and reversing its share price slump. As part of her turnaround plan, she has sold off Vodafone’s Spanish and Italian arms for €5 billion and €8 billion, respectively. Her next move includes a $15 billion merger in the U.K. with Three this year, set to form Britain’s largest mobile network once completed—and appears to have paused the nosedive in Vodafone’s shares. Allison Kirkby (ranked #85 on MPW) CEO BT Group — U.K. In early 2024, Kirkby became the first woman to helm BT Group, the U.K. telecoms giant, bringing decades of consumer and telecom savvy into one of the most scrutinized boardrooms in British business. A former Procter & Gamble executive, Kirkby made her mark turning around Sweden’s Telia and Denmark’s TDC, and she’s now steering BT through its most aggressive modernization push yet. At the core of her plan: a $20 billion rollout to deliver full-fiber broadband to 25 million U.K. homes by 2026, and a radical overhaul of BT’s structure, with up to 55,000 roles set to be cut by the decade’s end. BT has also announced plans to separate its international operations into a new stand-alone unit, as Kirkby continues to explore the possible scale of the telecom group’s non-U.K. business. Investors have taken note—shares climbed after years of stagnation, as Kirkby pivoted away from BT’s global distractions to refocus on domestic dominance. Kirkby has emphasized the importance of AI, and is not just making the business faster; she’s pushing for a more inclusive telecoms future as Britain grapples with digital inequality and aging infrastructure. Amid an industry reckoning on diversity, Kirkby has doubled down on BT’s DEI commitments. Sophie Bellon (ranked #88 on MPW) Chairwoman and CEO Sodexo — France Bellon manages a food and beverage business that caters to 80 million people every day—including the hungry fans at New Orleans’ Superdome during the 2025 Super Bowl. The second-generation French businesswoman started her career in finance, working for Crédit Lyonnais in New York as an advisor for mergers and acquisitions. She then worked as an agent for luxury brands such as Armani, Chanel, and Ungaro. Bellon took over as chair and then CEO of the 23.8-billion-euro business after the 2022 death of her father, Sodexo founder Pierre Bellon. She remains committed to his philosophy of “preserving the advantages of a large company without losing the benefits of a small one.” Bellon has spun off non-core businesses like employee benefits platform Pluxee, in 2024, to focus on her ambition of turning Sodexo into the leader in sustainable food catering, with vegetarian sausages and ingredients sourced from local hydroponic farms. Under Bellon’s leadership, Sodexo is also making significant strides in developing its food brands, such as Modern Recipe and Kitchen Works, which aim to deliver diverse, modern, and high-quality tailored dining experiences that fulfill evolving consumer preferences. This article appears in the June/July 2025 issue of Fortune with the headline ‘Spotlight: Europe’s Most Powerful Women’. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com View Comments |
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| 16.05.25 07:06:37 | Merck KGaA (MKGAF) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Growth Amidst Challenges | |
| Organic Group Revenue Growth: 3% increase. EBITDA Pre: Increased by 6% to EUR 1.535 billion. Net Sales: Increased by 3.1% to EUR 5.208 billion. EPS Pre: Increased by 2.9% to EUR 2.12 per share. Operating Cash Flow: Decreased by EUR 556 million. Net Financial Debt: Decreased slightly compared to end of December last year. Healthcare Organic Sales Growth: 3.4% increase. Life Science Organic Sales Growth: 2.5% increase. Electronics Organic Sales Growth: 0.6% increase. Process Solutions Growth: 11% increase. EBIT: Increased by 8% year on year. Effective Tax Rate: 22.8%. Reported EPS: EUR 1.69, a 5.6% increase year on year. Semiconductor Materials Growth: 2% increase. Equity Ratio: Strengthened from 58% to 61%. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Sign with MKGAF. Release Date: May 15, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Merck KGaA (MKGAF) achieved profitable growth across all three business sectors in Q1 2025, with group revenues increasing by 3% organically and EBITDA pre rising by 6%. Process Solutions showed remarkable progress, crossing into double-digit growth with an 11% increase in Q1, driven by strong order intake and a book-to-bill ratio comfortably above 1. Healthcare delivered organic sales growth of 3.4%, supported by strong performance in the CM&E portfolio and solid growth of Erbitux and Mavenclad. Electronics experienced positive organic sales development, particularly in Semiconductor Materials, which contributed to a 2% growth in the Semiconductor Solutions business. Merck KGaA (MKGAF) has taken proactive measures to mitigate potential impacts from tariffs and currency fluctuations, demonstrating adaptability in a challenging macroeconomic environment. Negative Points Operating cash flow decreased by EUR556 million, primarily due to an increase in receivables and inventories, higher bonus payments, and higher tax payments. Science & Lab Solutions (SLS) faced a decline in sales by 2.5% organically, impacted by US policy changes affecting academic and government lab spending and a cautious pharma research spending environment. Life Science Services saw a 6.2% organic decline in sales, mainly driven by CDMO activities affected by funding constraints and unfavorable project phasing. The Electronics sector's DS&S business experienced a low double-digit percentage decline due to customer projects being pushed out further. Merck KGaA (MKGAF) adjusted its 2025 guidance corridors due to currency movements, particularly a weak US dollar, and potential tariff impacts, reflecting ongoing macroeconomic volatility. Story Continues Q & A Highlights Q: Could you discuss the expected performance of the Science & Lab Solutions (SLS) division for Q2 and the rest of the year, considering the impact of NIH funding and R&D budget weaknesses? Also, how do you see the situation in China affecting sales due to the reduced tariff window? A: Jean-Charles Wirth, Designated CEO, Life Science, explained that while facing dynamic macroeconomic challenges, SLS is expected to perform better in the second half of the year compared to the first. The company aims to reach its midterm guidance exit rate. Regarding China, the reduced tariff window might lead to increased sales in Q2, but the longer-term impact of NIH budget cuts for 2026 remains uncertain. Q: What gives you confidence that the strong order intake in Process Solutions isn't due to pre-ordering, especially given the spike in pharma imports in the US? A: Matthias Heinzel, CEO, Life Science, stated that they closely monitor business trends and customer behavior, confirming no material pre-ordering. The strong order intake is broad-based across regions and customer segments, indicating genuine underlying demand. Q: Can you provide insights into the SpringWorks Therapeutics acquisition, particularly regarding cost integration, synergies, and one-time deal costs? A: Danny Bar-Zohar, Designated CEO, Healthcare, mentioned that the transaction is expected to be accretive by 2027, with transaction and integration costs of EUR150 million each. Most transaction costs will occur in 2025, while integration costs will spread over 2025 to 2027. The deal aims to unlock potential value in the US and internationally, with no major cost synergies expected. Q: Could you elaborate on the industry's efforts to reach an acceptable tariff deal with the administration, and how does this affect Merck's strategy? A: Belen Garijo, CEO, explained that Merck is actively contributing to discussions through trade associations to shape a favorable environment in the US. The company has taken mitigation measures to handle potential tariff impacts and does not expect significant short-term effects in 2025. Q: What are the expectations for Bavencio's performance for the full year, and do you anticipate recovery in the DS&S business? A: Danny Bar-Zohar, Designated CEO, Healthcare, indicated that Bavencio's sales are expected to decline by around 15% this year, with stabilization anticipated in 2026. Kai Beckmann, CEO, Electronics, noted that the DS&S business is recovering from a high base, with strong performance in materials supporting the overall Semiconductor Solutions segment. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. View Comments |
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| 01.05.25 15:40:09 | MKKGY vs. ZTS: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option? |  |
| Investors interested in stocks from the Medical - Drugs sector have probably already heard of Merck KGaA (MKKGY) and Zoetis (ZTS). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look. Everyone has their own methods for finding great value opportunities, but our model includes pairing an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system with a strong Zacks Rank. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits. Merck KGaA and Zoetis are sporting Zacks Ranks of #2 (Buy) and #3 (Hold), respectively, right now. This means that MKKGY's earnings estimate revision activity has been more impressive, so investors should feel comfortable with its improving analyst outlook. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors. Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels. Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use. MKKGY currently has a forward P/E ratio of 13.27, while ZTS has a forward P/E of 25.75. We also note that MKKGY has a PEG ratio of 1.57. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. ZTS currently has a PEG ratio of 2.74. Another notable valuation metric for MKKGY is its P/B ratio of 0.55. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, ZTS has a P/B of 14.79. These are just a few of the metrics contributing to MKKGY's Value grade of A and ZTS's Value grade of C. MKKGY is currently sporting an improving earnings outlook, which makes it stick out in our Zacks Rank model. And, based on the above valuation metrics, we feel that MKKGY is likely the superior value option right now. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Merck KGaA (MKKGY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Zoetis Inc. (ZTS) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research View Comments |
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| 01.05.25 13:40:15 | Are Investors Undervaluing Merck KGaA (MKKGY) Right Now? | |
| The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks. Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors use fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are being undervalued by the market at large. Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today. One stock to keep an eye on is Merck KGaA (MKKGY). MKKGY is currently holding a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value grade of A. MKKGY is also sporting a PEG ratio of 1.59. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. MKKGY's PEG compares to its industry's average PEG of 2.08. Over the past 52 weeks, MKKGY's PEG has been as high as 2.31 and as low as 1.40, with a median of 2.07. Another valuation metric that we should highlight is MKKGY's P/B ratio of 0.55. Investors use the P/B ratio to look at a stock's market value versus its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This company's current P/B looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/B of 1.22. Within the past 52 weeks, MKKGY's P/B has been as high as 0.84 and as low as 0.49, with a median of 0.68. Finally, investors should note that MKKGY has a P/CF ratio of 6.81. This metric focuses on a firm's operating cash flow and is often used to find stocks that are undervalued based on the strength of their cash outlook. MKKGY's P/CF compares to its industry's average P/CF of 9.50. Over the past year, MKKGY's P/CF has been as high as 17.18 and as low as 5.99, with a median of 8.37. These are only a few of the key metrics included in Merck KGaA's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, MKKGY looks like an impressive value stock at the moment. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Story Continues Merck KGaA (MKKGY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research View Comments |
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| 28.04.25 16:04:41 | Merck KGaA to Buy Springworks for $3.9B | |
| German pharma company Merck is buying US biotech SpringWorks Therapeutics for $3.9B. SpringWorks makes medicines for cancer and rare diseases and is expected to give a boost to Merck's health-care division. Belen Garijo, Merck KGaA CEO joined Bloomberg Open Interest to talk about the deal. View Comments |
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| 28.04.25 10:35:26 | SpringWorks Therapeutics to Be Acquired by Germany's Merck in $3.9 Billion Deal | |
| SpringWorks Therapeutics (SWTX) stock rose early Monday after the biopharmaceutical company agreed t PREMIUM Upgrade to read this MT Newswires article and get so much more. A Silver or Gold subscription plan is required to access premium news articles. Upgrade Already have a subscription? Sign in |
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| 28.04.25 06:21:26 | Germany's Merck KGaA in $3.9 billion deal to buy US biotech firm SpringWorks | |
| By Ludwig Burger FRANKFURT (REUTERS) -Merck KGaA has struck a deal to buy U.S. biotech company SpringWorks Therapeutics for an equity value of $3.9 billion, as the German company seeks to acquire treatments for rare tumours to boost its cancer drugs business. The family-controlled company said in a statement on Monday the purchase price of $47 per share in cash represents an equity value of about $3.9 billion, equivalent to an enterprise value of $3.4 billion (3.0 billion euros), when SpringWorks’ cash holdings are deducted. The deal is one of the largest in years for Merck, but its price tag was 22% lower than the about $60 per share analysts had expected after a Reuters report on February 10 that the companies were in advanced talks. Merck on April 24 lowered price expectations, saying the two companies were in late-stage discussions over a bid of around $47 per SpringWorks share. Merck's shares were down 0.4% in early trade, underperforming the broader German stock market. The deal will be funded with available cash and new debt. It is expected to be accretive to Merck’s earnings per share, adjusted for special items, in 2027, said a statement from the German group, based in Darmstadt, near Frankfurt. It added it would still be able to pursue larger transactions. Stamford, Connecticut-based SpringWorks, which listed its shares in New York in 2019, develops drugs to treat cancer and rare types of tumour. It has two products on the market: Ogsiveo with 2024 sales of $172 million to treat desmoid tumours, an aggressive disease affecting soft tissue, as well as Gomekli, which was approved in February to treat NF1-PN, characterised by nerve sheath tumours. "We have the unique opportunity with SpringWorks to establish a leadership position in rare tumours and build a strong foundation for further investments in this area," Peter Guenter, head of healthcare at Merck, said. The transaction will likely close during the second half of 2025, subject to approval of SpringWorks’ shareholders and regulatory clearance, Merck added. TRUMP DISRUPTION JP Morgan analyst Anupam Rama previously said the lack of other serious bidders and the challenging macroeconomic environment had probably lowered the valuation. This year had been expected to be stellar for mergers and acqusitions in the sector until the disruption caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, including massive layoffs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That has brought uncertainty to the drug approval process, hampering projected drug sales and affecting valuations. Story Continues Merck is particularly keen to strengthen its drug development pipeline after high-profile setbacks in late-stage drug trials, including a decision last year to halt development of head and neck cancer drug Xevinapant. A major trial testing multiple sclerosis drug Evobrutinib failed in December 2023. In 2015, the company agreed to buy U.S. lab equipment supplier Sigma-Aldrich for $17 billion, its biggest deal to date. In 2019, Merck acquired U.S. electronics materials manufacturer Versum for around $6.5 billion. (Reporting by Ludwig Burger, Emma-Victoria Farr in Frankfurt and Sabrina Valle in New York; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Barbara Lewis) View Comments |
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