Larson Betty D

October 17, 2026

Merck Faces Sector Rotation as Biotech Rallies Pause. Recent market news highlights a pause in the broader biotech rally, with peers like Moderna and Novavax seeing stock slumps. This sector-wide shift may influence sentiment around Merck, despite the company's specific fundamentals. Merck currently trades with a high trailing P/E of 112.6, which contrasts with its 2.87% dividend yield. The stock remains within its 52-week range, with analysts averaging a target of $158.64.

October 13, 2026

Barclays Upgrades Fortrea, Boosts Target to $23. Barclays has upgraded Fortrea Holdings to overweight and lifted its target price to $23. The upgrade follows a recent rise in the stock price and a mention of the company as an overrated pick in a Yahoo article. Analysts still see upside potential, with the average target of $21.04 and a 52‑week range that includes the new level. The stock’s high‑beta rating indicates it may continue to move sharply with market swings.

October 17, 2026

GEHC Secures CE Mark for MINItrace Magni Cyclotron. GE HealthCare (GEHC) has received CE approval for its MINItrace Magni cyclotron, expanding its PETtrace™ solid‑target platform to include copper‑64. The approval follows research showing its End‑tial Control software can reduce fresh gas flow in anesthesia settings. In addition, HeartBeam has joined a European consortium to develop at‑home ECG monitoring for early detection of acute coronary syndrome. These developments broaden GEHC’s product portfolio and support its investment narrative.

October 17, 2026

BDX Revello Stent Trial Success, Revenue Up 5.4%, Earnings Down 34%. The company announced that its Revello stent achieved strong results in the AGILITY trial for peripheral artery disease patients. Revenue rose 5.4% year‑over‑year, but net earnings fell 34.3%, reflecting higher costs or lower margins. The dividend yield sits at 1.59% and analysts see a target of $194, while the stock trades near the top of its 52‑week range.