BUZZ - Merck shares rise after raising annual profit forecast, third-quarter results beat expectations

October 29 - ** Pharmaceutical company Merck (MRK.N) shares rose 2.9% in premarket trading to $145.03

** The pharmaceutical giant (link) raised its adjusted annual earnings per share forecast to the $2.77–$2.82 range, up from the previous expectation of $2.66–$2.76

** According to LSEG-compiled data, the company reported third-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $2.49, beating Wall Street's expected $2.08 per share

** Third-quarter revenue reached $18.1 billion, exceeding analysts' average forecast of $17.3 billion

** As of the previous trading session's close, MRK shares were up approximately 34% year-to-date

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