Merck Buying More Drugs
Excerpt from the InvestorGuide.com Stock of the Day on 3/10/2009

These past few days, Merck and Schering-Plough (SGP: Charts, News, Offers) agreed to an acquisition arrangement where the former would buy out its rival for $41.1 billion. This represents a 34 percent premium from Friday's closing price. Current Schering-Plough shareholders will receive 0.5767 shares, plus an additional $10.50 for every share that they own. While this is mostly a cash-and-stock deal, Merck is taking in $8.5 billion in debt. The result would give Merck a 68 percent interest in the target company. Unlike other M&As in the industry, this agreement was reached quickly and with little strife. It seems both companies wanted this to go through. When all is said and done, however, does this acquistion really make sense? More >

Round 2: More Job Cuts at Merck
Excerpt from the InvestorGuide.com Stock of the Day on 10/22/2008

Merck announced it will cut 7,200 jobs as its quarterly profit plunged 28% due to a hefty restructuring charge and flat sales. The third-largest U.S. drugmaker cited generic competition and falling sales of its cholesterol medicine and cervical cancer vaccine as major contributing factors to its lower earnings. Profit excluding one-time items would have beat analysts' expectations by a cent. Merck has already cut 10,400 jobs since 2005 and just announced another restructuring program that will slash an additional 10% of its current workforce. What caused the second round of massive job cuts in three years? More >

Doubled Earnings has Merck on the Mend
Excerpt from the InvestorGuide.com Stock of the Day on 7/24/2006

New Jersey-based drugmaker Merck & Co.'s earnings more than doubled this quarter, exceeding its sales outlook and prompting a raise in its earnings estimate for the full year. The thriving quarter has been attributed to strong sales of its cholesterol-reducing and asthma medications, but other factors involved in the 2.5% increase in stock value should be highlighted as well. After trouble in the past from the 2004 Vioxx recall and last year's tax issues, Merck's recent gains seem to correlate with the earnings of its partners. In the competitive pharmaceutical industry, has Merck found success by association? More >

Merck Announces Plans to Cut 7,000 Jobs   11/28/2005

Merck still considered a value play even after massive lawsuit   8/24/2005