12 Best Blue Chip Stocks to Buy Under $100

4. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holdings: 86

Stock Price as of January 24: $95.55

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a leading global pharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines and vaccines to improve human and animal health. The company is known for its medical advancements and its capability to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is advancing the development of enlicitide, an oral PCSK9 inhibitor positioned as the most potent oral LDL-lowering medicine. This drug is designed to offer a cost-effective oral solution, enlicitide targets the significant unmet need for LDL-lowering therapies. In the obesity market, the company is focusing on specific at-risk subpopulations, including those with MASH who require substantial weight loss. Additionally, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is developing efinopegdutide, an oral GLP-1 therapy currently in Phase II trials. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to address critical unmet needs with innovative and cost-effective patient solutions.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has significantly expanded its late-stage development pipeline, increasing the number of assets from 9 in 2021 to 26 in 2024. This growth focuses on oncology, cardiometabolic diseases, immunology, vaccines, and ophthalmology. The company has also invested heavily in business development, allocating nearly $40 billion over the past 3.5 years to acquire new assets. A notable example is the acquisition of EyeBio, which introduces a new mechanism of action for treating wet AMD and diabetic macular edema, which addresses a critical area of unmet need.