Merck (MRK) shares underperformed during the strong April–May market rally, with the S&P 500 rising 22% to 5,865 points, while MRK gained just 2.5% to $77.55. The stock pulled back from $85.68 in early May but managed to break through trend resistance in April for the second time, later retesting it in May. A solid support zone around $70.00 — unbroken since 2019 — continues to provide a strong technical foundation.
Given this setup, the $70–80 range appears to be a promising buying zone. The next major target is $100–105, which aligns with a price gap that could attract further interest. A reasonable stop-loss can be placed at $60, below long-term support, to manage downside risk.
