0834 GMT - Germany's Merck KGaA lifting its midterm profitability target suggests cost savings, Stifel's Dylan Van Haaften writes. The German chemicals and life-science company forecast an expansion in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization margin before exceptional items of one percentage point, likely due to cost cutting, the analysts say. This marks an uplift from prior midterm guidance that called for a margin around 28%. In 2024, Merck reported an Ebitda before exceptional items margin of 28.7%. The company's new risk-based and segmented healthcare strategy should support growth, but risks likely outweigh rewards with imminent trial results for Merck's experimental autoimmune neuromuscular treatment, Stifel adds. Shares fall 1.2%. (william.gray@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 16, 2025 04:34 ET (08:34 GMT)

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