Here is why Merck (MRK) is Among the 8 Best Counter Cyclical Stocks to Buy Right Now

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is one of the

8 Best Counter Cyclical Stocks to Buy Right Now.

On April 21, 2026, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Idvynso, a single-tablet regimen combining 100 mg doravirine and 0.25 mg islatravir, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. The therapy is intended to replace a current antiretroviral regimen in patients who are virologically suppressed on a stable regimen, with no history of treatment failure and no known resistance to doravirine. Idvynso is contraindicated with strong CYP3A enzyme inducers and with lamivudine or emtricitabine, and is expected to be available in pharmacies after May 11.

A day earlier, the company said the FDA granted priority review for two supplemental Biologics License Applications for KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX, each in combination with Padcev, for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy, with a target action date of August 17. The applications are based on Phase 3 KEYNOTE-B15 data and, if approved, would expand use of the combinations as perioperative treatments regardless of cisplatin eligibility, building on existing approvals for patients ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. KEYTRUDA plus Padcev is already approved for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer in the U.S., European Union, Japan, and other markets.

Source: Unsplash

Last week, UBS analyst Michael Yee raised the firm’s price target on Merck to $145 from $130 and maintained a Buy rating as part of a Q1 preview across the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology group.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) operates as a healthcare company worldwide.

While we acknowledge the potential of MRK as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy. 

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.