Merck (MRK) shares have been in a downtrend since June 25, 2024, falling by 40% to reach $79. Over the past two months, the stock has entered a consolidation phase within the $75–80 range, stabilizing just above a key long-term support level. Notably, prices have not dropped below this support since 2018, which strengthens the technical case for a potential upside reversal and a breakout through the downtrend resistance.

With this setup in mind, I’m planning to open a long position in the $78–81 range, targeting a move to $95–100, where a price gap remains unfilled. To manage risk, a stop-loss order could be placed at $62.