Merck reported earnings per share of $2.49 against an estimate of $2.09, and revenue of $18.09 billion against an estimate of $17.33 billion, beating on both counts. Shares traded at $144.18 before the open, up 2.17% against the prior close of $141.12.
Source: Trades before the open and in the regular session, against the prior close · as of October 29, 2026 at 7:33 AM ET · Five-minute closes. Extended-hours trading is thin; the price can move a long way before the open.
| Measure | Reported | Estimate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings per share | $2.49 | $2.09 | Beat |
| Revenue | $18.09 billion | $17.33 billion | Beat |
Source: Company earnings report and sell-side analyst consensus estimates · as of October 29, 2026 at 7:33 AM ET · Reported before the open on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Against the quarters before
Merck's last four quarters show a mixed but generally favorable pattern against estimates. The most recent prior quarter, reported August 4, 2026, posted a loss of $0.13 per share versus an expected loss of $0.27. Before that, the quarter reported April 30, 2026 showed a loss of $1.28 per share against an expected loss of $1.47. The quarter reported February 3, 2026 beat with EPS of $2.04 versus an estimate of $2.01, and the quarter reported October 30, 2025 beat with EPS of $2.58 versus an estimate of $2.36. Revenue in those four quarters came in at $16.61 billion, $16.29 billion, $16.40 billion and $17.28 billion, respectively.
Source: Company earnings reports and the consensus estimates at the time
| Reported | EPS | Estimate | Revenue | EPS result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 4, 2026 | -$0.13 | -$0.27 | $16.61 billion | Beat |
| April 30, 2026 | -$1.28 | -$1.47 | $16.29 billion | Beat |
| February 3, 2026 | $2.04 | $2.01 | $16.40 billion | Beat |
| October 30, 2025 | $2.58 | $2.36 | $17.28 billion | Beat |
Source: Company earnings reports and the consensus estimates at the time
How the stock took it
Shares moved higher before the open, trading at $144.18, up 2.17% from the prior close of $141.12. Investor's Business Daily reported that Merck narrowed its full-year guidance while lifting the midpoint, pointing to a higher projected range for both adjusted per-share earnings and full-year revenue than previously indicated.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Last close | $141.12 |
| Price | $144.18 |
| Change | +2.17% |
Source: Extended-hours trades against the regular close · as of October 29, 2026 at 7:33 AM ET · Extended-hours trading is thin; the price can move a long way before the open.
Who it buys from and sells to
No suppliers or customers are named in company filings for Merck at this time. Understanding a company's supply chain can help clarify where revenue and cost pressures originate, but no such detail is on file here.