Merck & Co. Shares Sold by Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss

Institutional investor reduces stake in pharmaceutical giant

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC, a major institutional investor, has reduced its position in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) by 14.8% during the third quarter, according to a recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm now owns 7,415,270 shares of the company's stock, valued at $622,364,000.

Why it matters

Merck is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, with a diverse portfolio of prescription drugs, vaccines, and animal health products. Changes in ownership by major institutional investors can signal shifts in market sentiment and influence the company's stock price performance.

The details

Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss, an investment management firm, sold 1,291,412 shares of Merck during the third quarter. The firm now owns a 0.30% stake in the company, making it Merck's 11th largest institutional shareholder. The sale comes as Merck's stock has seen strong performance, rising over 25% in the past year.

  • Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss sold the shares during the third quarter of 2026.

The players

Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC

A major institutional investment management firm that has reduced its stake in Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc.

A global biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The reduction in Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss's Merck holdings, while relatively small, could signal a shift in investor sentiment around the pharmaceutical giant. However, Merck remains a major player in the industry with a diverse product portfolio and strong financial performance.