Merck (MRK) announced what the market expected. On that note, they are already ahead of Yahoo!.

Revenue hit $5.8 billion up 7% for the quarter. EPS without restructuring costs, hit $.84, up from $.78 in the same quarter a year ago.

Sales of the company’s chronic treatment of asthma rose 25% to $1 billion. Sales of antihypertensive medicines rose 14% to $798. Global sales for FOSAMAX were flat at $742 million.

For a company near its 52-week high, it was not a break-out quarter. The company’s shares are up over 40% in the last year. To stay there, results are going to have to get better.

Douglas A. McIntyre