Merck & Co Inc (MRK): Today's Featured Drugs Loser

Merck (MRK) pushed the Drugs industry lower today making it today's featured Drugs loser. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.8%. By the end of trading, Merck fell 54 cents (-1.4%) to $38.09 on average volume. Throughout the day, 11.9 million shares of Merck exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 14.2 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $38.09-$38.49 after having opened the day at $38.34 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $38.63. Other company's within the Drugs industry that declined today were: Dynavax Technologies Corporation (DVAX), down 22.6%, Amyris (AMRS), down 21.3%, Biosante Pharmaceuticals (BPAX), down 14.4%, and China Shenghuo Pharmaceutical Holdings (KUN), down 12.1%.

Merck & Co., Inc. provides various health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. Merck has a market cap of $117.27 billion and is part of the health care sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 18.3, above the average drugs industry P/E ratio of 17.1 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 2.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 12 analysts that rate Merck a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and five rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Merck as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow.

• You can view the full Merck Ratings Report.

On the positive front, CHINA NUOKANG BIO-PHARMACEUTICAL (NKBP), up 26.5%, Pluristem Therapeutic (PSTI), up 13.3%, Theratechnologies (THER), up 9.6%, and Coronado Biosciences (CNDO), up 9.5%, were all gainers within the drugs industry with Herbalife (HLF) being today's featured drugs industry winner.

• Use our drugs section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the drugs industry could consider SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) while those bearish on the drugs industry could consider ProShares UltraShort Nasdaq Biotech (BIS).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on Merck & Co Inc click any of the following:

• Merck & Co Inc Stock Price

• Merck & Co Inc Analyst Ratings

• Merck & Co Inc Key Stats & Profile

• Merck & Co Inc Earnings

• Merck & Co Inc Ratio Comparison

• Merck & Co Inc Growth Rates

• Merck & Co Inc Balance Sheet

• Merck & Co Inc Cash Flow

• Merck & Co Inc Income Statement