The New Jersey-based pharmaceuticals Merck and Co stock inched 0.38% higher to $79.66 Thursday. This proved to be an all-around favourable trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX rising 1.06% to 4,159.12 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA rising 0.55% to 34,084.15. The rise in the stock broke the Two-day losing streak.
Merck and Co. Inc. closed $8.14 short of its 52-week high ($87.80), which the company achieved on September 3rd. The stock underperformed when compared to some of its competitors Thursday, as Johnson & Johnson JNJ rose 0.58% to $171.07, Roche Holding AG Part. Cert. RHHVF rose 2.37% to $344.70, and Pfizer Inc. PFE rose 0.73% to $40.12. Trading volume (7.0 M) remained 5.1 million below its 50-day average volume of 12.1 M.
The company identified that much of Organon’s growth prospects exist outside the US, with nearly 80% of the revenue generated by its products coming from international markets. Rob Davis, president, Merck & Co said that the spinoff of Organon will help Merck become a leaner, more focused and agile company with stronger growth, and will enable significant operating efficiencies. The company is expecting to receive a tax-free dividend of $9bn.
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