QRFT0.670%
as of Jul 8
MRK
GrowthMERCK & CO. INC.
Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It offers human health pharmaceutical for various areas under the Keytruda, Keytruda Qlex, Welireg, Gardasil, ProQuad, M-M-R II, Varivax, Vaxneuvance, Capvaxive, RotaTeq, Pneumovax 23, Bridion, Prevymis, Dificid, Zerbaxa, Winrevair, Adempas/ Verquvo, Ohtuvayre, Lagevrio, Isentress/Isentress HD, Delstrigo, Pifeltro, Belsomra, Januvia, and Janumet brands.
Close · 3M
+6.22%
Held by 2 AI ETFs
AIEQ0.050%
as of Jul 20
Signal performance
Each tracked ETF's moves on this stock, grouped by fund. Returns are measured from the signal date to the latest close — hypothetical, no commissions or slippage.
Buy signals14
Win rate57% (8/14)
Avg buy return+1.54%
QRFT · Weight decrease · 2d
The Qraft AI, which guides QRFT's weekly rebalancing across approximately 300 US large-cap holdings, appears to be incrementally reducing its allocation to MRK following a period of strong appreciation. This consecutive weight decrease, moving from 0.69% to 0.66% in recent days, suggests the AI is reacting to the stock reaching 100% of its 52-week high at $129.56. While MRK delivered a +63.9% 1-year return, the fund's strategy, which integrates traditional factors like value and low-volatility with proprietary alternative-data overlays, likely finds current valuation metrics such as its 35.06 PER less compelling for its diversified large-cap core mandate. This adjustment reflects the AI’s continuous re-evaluation of positions, even in its broad large-cap core style.
weight 0.690% → 0.660% (-0.030 pp)·stock up 8.9% in the 30 days before
Jul 1·entry $125.37·now $124.40
-0.77%
since Jul 1
QRFT · Accumulation · 5d
The weight change for MRK in QRFT reveals a period of gradual accumulation, increasing from 0.60% to 0.69% over several trading days before a minor adjustment to 0.68%. This measured build-up aligns with Qraft's AI-driven strategy, which utilizes weekly rebalancing to continuously integrate traditional factors like momentum with proprietary alternative-data overlays. Given MRK's current price, at 99% of its 52-week high and reflecting a 1-year return of 64.2%, the AI appears to be consistently detecting positive signals that warrant a sustained, albeit moderate, allocation increase. Despite valuation metrics like a PER of 33.58, the AI's analysis, informed by its unique data sources, likely identified underlying drivers in the Health Care sector justifying this measured position enhancement within QRFT's broad large-cap core portfolio.
weight 0.600% → 0.680% (+0.080 pp)·stock up 8.2% in the 30 days before
Jun 30·entry $128.50·now $124.40Fresh
-3.19%
since Jun 30
QRFT · Accumulation · 5d
The Qraft AI, managing QRFT, has executed a gradual accumulation of Merck & Co. Inc. shares, steadily increasing the pharmaceutical company’s weight from 0.61% to 0.69% across several weekly rebalancing cycles in June. This measured approach to buying MRK, which currently sits at 100% of its 52-week high following a 59.8% one-year return, indicates the AI is likely balancing the stock's strong momentum with its elevated valuation metrics, such as a PER of 33.58. The AI’s method, integrating traditional factors like momentum and quality with proprietary alternative data overlays, appears to find sustained positive signals in MRK’s financial health, evidenced by a 17.93% ROE, even as this Health Care large-cap has experienced substantial price appreciation. Such a progressive buildup, rather than an abrupt increase, aligns with QRFT's diversified large-cap core style, allowing the system to incrementally adjust exposure based on ongoing data without overcommitting at peak price levels.
weight 0.610% → 0.690% (+0.080 pp)·stock up 7.9% in the 30 days before
Jun 29·entry $129.38·now $124.40Fresh
-3.85%
since Jun 29
QRFT · Accumulation · 5d
Qraft Technologies' AI, which integrates traditional factors like momentum with proprietary alternative data overlays, detected a compelling signal in MERCK & CO. INC. Operating within its broad large-cap core style and managing a portfolio of approximately 300 US large caps, the fund executed a gradual accumulation of MRK, increasing its weight from 0.60% to 0.69% over several days, consistent with its weekly rebalancing cadence. This measured increase likely reflects the AI's continued positive assessment of the stock, particularly as MRK reached its 52-week high of $128.66, following a 1-year return of +57.5%. The AI's process for evaluating large-cap health care stocks evidently favored MRK's recent trajectory at this price level.
weight 0.610% → 0.690% (+0.080 pp)·stock up 7.0% in the 30 days before
Jun 26·entry $128.66·now $124.40Fresh
-3.31%
since Jun 26
QRFT · Accumulation · 5d
The Qraft AI, responsible for managing QRFT by combining traditional factors and proprietary alternative-data overlays, initiated a gradual accumulation of MERCK & CO. INC. shares. This methodical increase, occurring within its portfolio of approximately 300 US large caps and adjusted during its weekly rebalancing cycle, indicates the AI identified a sustained positive signal. The AI likely recognized the company's 17.93% Return on Equity as a sign of financial strength, while concurrently factoring in the stock's +13.4% 30-day return. These elements collectively drove the fund's allocation upward from 0.6000% to 0.6700%, reflecting the AI’s ongoing assessment of MRK’s profile even as its price reached 100% of its 52-week high.
weight 0.600% → 0.670% (+0.070 pp)·stock up 4.8% in the 30 days before
Jun 25·entry $125.45·now $124.40Fresh
-0.84%
since Jun 25
QRFT · Weight increase · 3d
MRK’s 17.93% ROE and 2.89% revenue growth likely contributed to its inclusion in QRFT, aligning with the Qraft AI’s traditional factor analysis for quality, even with a PER of 33.58 and PBR of 4.97 suggesting higher valuation. The stock’s significant 1-year return of +50.1% and its current position at 97% of its 52-week high, coupled with a +7.3% 30-day return, indicate a strong upward trajectory and recent momentum that the AI’s proprietary alternative-data overlays likely amplified. This combination of quality and momentum, evaluated by QRFT’s broad large-cap core methodology, directly led to the consecutive weight increase from 0.6100% to 0.6500% between June 22nd and June 24th, 2026, reflecting the manager’s real-time adaptation.
weight 0.600% → 0.650% (+0.050 pp)·stock down 1.5% in the 30 days before
Jun 24·entry $120.60·now $124.40Drifting
+3.15%
since Jun 24
QRFT · Weight increase · 2d
With a Price-to-Earnings ratio of 33.58 and a Price-to-Book ratio of 4.97, coupled with 17.93% Return on Equity, MRK’s financial profile aligns with QRFT's AI methodology, which balances traditional factors like quality with proprietary alternative-data overlays for its broad large-cap core portfolio. The consecutive increase in MRK's weighting, rising from 0.61% to 0.64% between June 22 and June 23, occurred as the stock traded at $119.60, closely approaching 97% of its 52-week high. This suggests Qraft AI identified specific signals from its proprietary alternative data or a strong momentum factor contributing to MRK's +7.5% 30-day return, prompting increased allocation despite the stock's elevated price levels and prior +47.0% 1-year return.
weight 0.600% → 0.640% (+0.040 pp)·stock up 3.2% in the 30 days before
Jun 23·entry $119.60·now $124.40Drifting
+4.01%
since Jun 23
QRFT · Weight decrease · 2d
The recent consecutive weight decrease in MRK by QRFT, from 0.6500% to 0.6000% over two rebalance cycles, suggests a measured, incremental reduction rather than an abrupt shift. This gradual down-weighting aligns with QRFT's broad large-cap core style and its AI’s methodology, which evaluates both traditional factors and proprietary alternative data weekly. MRK’s current price of $114.90, sitting at 93% of its 52-week high after a significant 48.9% one-year return, presents a scenario where value and low-volatility considerations might become more prominent. Consequently, the AI appears to be trimming exposure to this Health Care name trading with a 33.35 PER and modest 2.89% revenue growth, indicating the AI's models perceive the stock as having less room for upward movement or increased risk at these elevated levels.
weight 0.650% → 0.600% (-0.050 pp)·stock up 1.3% in the 30 days before
Jun 15·entry $114.90·now $124.40
+8.27%
since Jun 15
QRFT · Weight increase · 2d
weight 0.600% → 0.650% (+0.050 pp)·stock up 6.4% in the 30 days before
Jun 5·entry $120.79·now $124.40Drifting
+2.99%
since Jun 5
QRFT · Weight decrease · 2d
Qraft Technologies’ AI, managing QRFT’s ~300 US large-cap portfolio with weekly rebalances, likely identified a sustained shift in MRK’s profile. Combining traditional factors with proprietary alternative data overlays, the system appears to have flagged concerns regarding the stock’s valuation or momentum. MRK’s PER of 32.01, notably higher than its 2.89% revenue growth, likely prompted negative signals within the Qraft AI’s factor models, particularly its value or quality components. The consecutive weight decrease observed from 0.6100% to 0.5800% after May 28th suggests the AI systematically reduced exposure as the stock hovered at 93% of its 52-week high, despite a recent -1.6% 30-day return. This measured adjustment aligns with QRFT’s broad large-cap core style, driven by an AI tilt.
weight 0.610% → 0.580% (-0.030 pp)·stock up 5.5% in the 30 days before
Jun 1·entry $115.17·now $124.40
+8.01%
since Jun 1
QRFT · Weight increase · 2d
Merck & Co Inc. is trading at $122.41, positioning it at 99% of its 52-week high, following a substantial 57.7% return over the past year and recent gains of 10.3% in 90 days. This strong upward trajectory, indicative of significant momentum, likely engaged QRFT's AI, which integrates traditional factors like momentum into its weekly rebalancing decisions. Despite the company's 33.39 PER and 4.97 PBR, its 17.93% ROE, combined with Qraft's proprietary alternative-data overlays, likely signaled underlying strength to the AI, prompting the specific weight increases from 0.58% to 0.63% between May 20th and May 22nd. As a broad large-cap core fund with an AI tilt, QRFT's increased allocation to Merck demonstrates the system's responsiveness to a blend of performance metrics and unique data insights rather than a singular factor.
weight 0.580% → 0.630% (+0.050 pp)·stock up 6.8% in the 30 days before
May 22·entry $122.41·now $124.40Fresh
+1.63%
since May 22
QRFT · Weight increase · 2d
stock down 2.4% in the 30 days before
May 19·entry $114.24·now $124.40Drifting
+8.89%
since May 19
+9.55%
since May 6
+9.94%
since May 5
+12.85%
since Apr 27
+10.20%
since Apr 22
+10.52%
since Apr 21
+6.23%
since Apr 18
+7.74%
since Apr 16
+5.51%
since Apr 15
AIEQ · New entry · 1d
weight 0 → 0.050% (new)·stock up 8.9% in the 30 days before
Jul 1·entry $125.37·now $124.40Fresh
-0.77%
since Jul 1
AIEQ · Exit · 1d
MRK’s weight in AIEQ demonstrated a gradual decrease from 0.40% to 0.39% across several days before a swift, complete removal from the portfolio on May 30th. This pattern aligns with AIEQ’s strategy of daily rebalancing and high turnover, where IBM Watson’s NLP engine constantly evaluates thousands of US equities, allowing for continuous adjustments. Given MRK’s price at 96% of its 52-week high and a flat 30-day return following a significant +56.1% over one year, it is plausible that the system detected a shift in sentiment or a less favorable fundamental outlook. The initial small reductions likely reflected a weakening of the combined fundamentals-sentiment score, prompting EquBot's risk overlay to scale back exposure. A definitive negative signal crossing a specific threshold, perhaps related to the company’s PER of 32.82 alongside a 2.89% revenue growth, would then trigger the complete divestment from the Health Care stock, prioritizing a quick exit to maintain optimal portfolio composition.
weight 0.390% → 0 (exited)·stock up 7.0% in the 30 days before
May 30·entry $115.17·now $124.40
+8.01%
since May 30
LQAI · Exit · 1d
MRK’s financial profile, featuring a PER of 35.06 and PBR of 4.97, alongside 2.89% revenue growth and a 17.93% ROE, provides context for LQAI's Qraft AI ranking system, which selects approximately 100 US large caps for a core large-cap style without heavy factor tilts. The AI model observed MRK trading at $128.86, near its 52-week high of $129.56, after achieving a 60.4% one-year return. Given LQAI's positioning midway between broad and concentrated momentum strategies, the AI likely reassessed the stock's risk-reward dynamics as it approached its price ceiling. This combination of an elevated valuation and peak price levels, without a pronounced growth acceleration, signaled to the Qraft AI that MRK no longer aligned with the fund's specific core selection criteria, resulting in its removal from the portfolio on July 7.
weight 0.560% → 0 (exited)·stock up 7.2% in the 30 days before
Jul 7·entry $128.86·now $124.40
-3.46%
since Jul 7
LQAI · Weight increase · 2d
Merck's PER of 33.58 and PBR of 4.97, paired with a 2.89% revenue growth and an ROE of 17.93%, align with LQAI's core large-cap, AI-driven selection approach, which evaluates names without a heavy factor tilt. The Qraft AI engine likely identified continued merit in MRK’s specific blend of valuation and profitability, leading to the series of daily weight increases from 0.53% to 0.56% within the ETF between June 23 and June 26, 2026. This pattern emerged as MRK’s stock price reached its 52-week high of $128.66, reflecting a significant 30-day return of +13.4%. Such an allocation decision by LQAI, a fund positioned midway between broad market and concentrated momentum strategies, indicates the AI algorithm found sufficient momentum and fundamental strength in Merck to increase exposure, even at these elevated price levels, overriding potential concerns about its current valuation metrics alone.
weight 0.530% → 0.560% (+0.030 pp)·stock up 7.0% in the 30 days before
Jun 26·entry $128.66·now $124.40Fresh
-3.31%
since Jun 26
LQAI · Weight increase · 2d
Utilizing its Qraft AI ranking engine for weekly rebalances across its portfolio of approximately 100 US large caps, LQAI has systematically increased its weighting in MRK for three consecutive days. This AI-driven name selection method, geared towards core large-cap exposure, registered positive signals, resulting in MRK’s weight rising from 0.49% to 0.51% over the period. The AI's algorithm appears to be responding to underlying fundamental strength, such as the company’s 17.93% Return on Equity. This steady accumulation occurs with MRK priced at $113.87, reflecting its substantial 1-year return of +44.2%, which likely contributes to its persistent inclusion in the fund.
weight 0.490% → 0.510% (+0.020 pp)·stock up 2.6% in the 30 days before
Jun 17·entry $115.44·now $124.40Drifting
+7.76%
since Jun 17
LQAI · Weight decrease · 3d
The LG-Qraft collaboration's AI engine for LQAI, which rebalances its ~100 US large-cap holdings weekly, has consistently reduced its allocation to MRK. This pattern of consecutive weight decreases from 0.54% to 0.49% suggests Qraft's AI ranking for Merck has trended downwards relative to its large-cap core universe. As an AI-driven name selection fund without heavy factor tilt, the system likely identified a shifting attractiveness. While MRK has seen a substantial 1-year return of nearly 49%, the AI may be re-evaluating its position given the stock's current valuation; a PER of 33.35 alongside a more modest Revenue Growth of 2.89% could be influencing this dynamic adjustment.
weight 0.550% → 0.490% (-0.060 pp)·stock up 1.3% in the 30 days before
Jun 15·entry $114.90·now $124.40
+8.27%
since Jun 15
LQAI · Weight decrease · 2d
MRK currently trades at $119.05, near the upper bounds of its 52-week range, reflecting a 56.1% one-year return and a 6.1% gain in the past 30 days. Operating with a weekly rebalancing schedule and AI-driven name selection for a US large-cap core universe, LQAI initially added MRK to its portfolio on June 9th at 0.54%. Despite the company’s PER of 33.35, PBR of 4.97, and 17.93% ROE, the subsequent consecutive weight reductions from 0.55% to 0.52% indicate the Qraft AI’s dynamic ranking has begun to temper its signal. This movement suggests LQAI’s AI, which occupies a middle ground between broad and concentrated momentum approaches, has slightly reduced its allocation to MRK as the stock approaches its 52-week high, perhaps finding other opportunities more compelling within its core large-cap universe.
weight 0.550% → 0.520% (-0.030 pp)·stock up 4.9% in the 30 days before
Jun 12·entry $119.05·now $124.40
+4.49%
since Jun 12
LQAI · Weight increase · 2d
MRK is currently priced at $119.09, sitting at 96% of its 52-week high after delivering a 55.9% return over the past year and a 7.3% gain in the last 30 days. This upward price trajectory likely triggered a positive signal within the Qraft AI ranking engine, leading LQAI to initiate a position in MRK at 0.54% on June 9th and slightly increase it to 0.55% on June 10th. Operating as an AI-driven large-cap core fund positioned between broad and concentrated momentum, LQAI's weekly rebalance appears to have registered MRK's sustained market appreciation, coupled with a 17.93% return on equity and 2.89% revenue growth, as a compelling combination for inclusion. The AI's consecutive weight increase in a company already near its annual peak suggests its model perceives the stock's momentum and underlying metrics, even with a PER of 33.35, as sufficiently attractive for its ~100-stock portfolio.
weight 0 → 0.550% (new)·stock up 7.0% in the 30 days before
Jun 10·entry $119.09·now $124.40Drifting
+4.46%
since Jun 10
LQAI · New entry · 1d
LQAI, leveraging Qraft's AI ranking for its weekly rebalancing of approximately 100 US large-cap core holdings, initiated a new position in MRK on June 9th at 0.5400%. This AI-driven name selection likely identified the pharmaceutical company as a compelling inclusion within its large-cap universe, moving from zero weight after a consistent period. The decision reflects a signal from MRK’s sustained market appreciation, evidenced by its +57.0% 1-year return, even as the stock trades at 97% of its 52-week high. For a fund positioned midway between broad and concentrated momentum strategies, the AI's model appears to have found MRK's recent market performance and valuation appealing for its core portfolio.
weight 0 → 0.540% (new)·stock up 7.4% in the 30 days before
Jun 9·entry $119.60·now $124.40Drifting
+4.01%
since Jun 9
+10.71%
since May 12
Sell signals show what the stock did after the AI exited. A negative number means the AI's exit was well-timed.
Buffett-style framework
Fails the frameworkas of Apr 29
The AI ETFs, specifically QRFT, are showing a consistent trend of decreasing their weight in MRK, signaling a cautious or bearish outlook. This activity aligns with the framework's 'Fail' verdict, which is primarily driven by the lack of a sufficient margin of safety at the current price.
- Circle of CompetenceMerck operates in the pharmaceutical industry, whose unit economics, driven by drug patents and development cycles, allow for reasonable ten-year cash flow projections within an investor's circle of competence.
- Economic MoatThe company possesses a strong economic moat derived from its extensive patent portfolio for blockbuster drugs, significant R&D capabilities, and established brand reputation in the healthcare sector, which are durable for ten years or more.
- ManagementInformation on management's candor, capital allocation discipline, and skin in the game is not provided, preventing an assessment against the framework's criteria.
- Financial HealthWhile the reported ROE of 36.19% is strong, a comprehensive assessment against criteria like 10-year average ROE, stable operating margins, manageable debt specifics, and owner earnings cannot be fully made with the limited financial data provided.
- Margin of SafetyThe current valuation metrics, including a high EV/EBITDA of 24.78 and modest revenue growth, do not indicate a defensible discount to a conservative estimate of intrinsic value, failing the margin of safety criterion.
Merck generally operates within a predictable circle of competence and benefits from strong patent-driven economic moats. However, the provided data is insufficient to fully evaluate management's quality and the company's complete financial health. Crucially, the current valuation, marked by a high EV/EBITDA, suggests the stock lacks a margin of safety, leading to an overall 'Fail' verdict.
Educational interpretation generated by AI applying frameworks Warren Buffett documented in his shareholder letters and other public writings. Not a statement by Mr. Buffett or Berkshire Hathaway, and not investment advice.