12 Best Dow Stocks to Buy Right Now

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

No. of Hedge Fund Holders: 86

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a leading global pharmaceutical company engaged in discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines and vaccines for untreated illnesses. The company has been at the forefront of medical advancements, addressing some of the most critical health issues.

Mad Money’s Jim Cramer recently pointed out the significance of Merck & Co., Inc.’s (NYSE:MRK) anti-cancer franchise, Keytruda. In addition, Cramer highlighted that the company’s acquisition of Acceleron in 2021 hasn’t gotten enough credit. Acceleron’s Winrevair is an FDA-approved drug that treats a fatal disease known as pulmonary arterial hypertension. Cramer talked about other medicines that add to Merck’s advantage and market competitiveness. To find more about Cramer’s view on MRK, you can read it here.

Merck & Co., Inc. has had a successful past year, driven by development in pipeline diversification. At the start of 2024, the company projected an additional $35 billion in revenue from its new drug portfolio, which has since increased to $50 billion. This growth was mainly driven by expansion in its clinical trials, with 26 ongoing phase III trials, up from just nine in 2021. Moreover, Merck & Co. is working in collaboration with Gilead Sciences to develop a combination therapy that could revolutionize HIV treatment. The partnership is expected to generate over $5 billion in revenue for MRK.