Merck Beats Estimates, Hikes Revenue Outlook Amid New Product Growth

Pharmaceutical giant Merck reported strong growth in its new product sales and hiked its revenue outlook for 2026, but cut its profit guidance due to charges related to recent acquisitions.

The company's second-quarter results beat estimates, with a net loss of $1.34 billion, or 54 cents per share, compared to net income of $4.43 billion, or $1.76 per share, in the same period last year.

Merck's revenue for the quarter rose 5% from the same period a year earlier, reaching $16.61 billion, while Keytruda generated $8.37 billion in sales, up 5% from the previous year.

The company is betting on newer drugs to offset potential losses in revenue, including the first PCSK9 pill designed to lower bad cholesterol, which was approved in July.