Merck's Earnings Top Estimates Despite Turbulent Conditions

Pharmaceuticals giant Merck released results on Wednesday that topped analyst estimates. The company posted, down from $0.88 per share this time last year. Fourth quarter profit spiked following the sale of the company's consumer care business but general sales were down 7.4 percent and revenue dropped to $10.48 billion as patent expirations and the increasing strength of the dollar took their toll on earnings. Merck's outlook for 2015 was tentative, as the company looks to boost profits with new cancer immunotherapy drugs. Merck stock has risen around 17 percent in the last year but the stock was down on the results.