---
title: "Cisco, Merck, Cheniere Energy And More: CNBC’s ‘Final Trades’"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/296228021.md"
description: "On CNBC’s 'Halftime Report Final Trades,' analysts recommended Cisco, Cheniere Energy, iShares U.S. Utilities ETF, and Merck. Cisco beat Q4 earnings estimates. TD Cowen upgraded Cheniere to Buy with a $290 target. Daiwa Capital upgraded Merck to Outperform with a $143 target. Saccocia recommended the utilities ETF. Stock prices showed mixed results: Cisco rose 1.1%, Merck gained 0.1%, while Cheniere fell 1.7% and the ETF dropped 0.3%."
datetime: "2026-08-18T12:14:54.000Z"
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  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/296228021.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296228021.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/296228021.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# Cisco, Merck, Cheniere Energy And More: CNBC’s ‘Final Trades’

On CNBC’s “Halftime Report Final Trades,” **Stephen Weiss**, chief investment officer and managing partner of Short Hills Capital Partners, picked **Cisco Systems, Inc.** (NASDAQ:CSCO).

On the earnings front, Cisco, on Aug. 12, reported fourth-quarter revenue of $17.25 billion, beating analyst estimates of $16.82 billion, according to Benzinga Pro. The networking equipment company reported adjusted earnings of $1.22 per share for the quarter, beating analyst estimates of $1.17 per share.

**Jim Lebenthal**, partner and chief market strategist at Cerity Partners, named **Cheniere Energy, Inc.** (NYSE:LNG) as his final trade.

Lending support to his choice, TD Cowen analyst Jason Gabelman, on Aug. 11, maintained Cheniere Energy with a Buy and raised the price target from $280 to $290.

*Don’t forget to check out our premarket coverage here*

**Shannon Saccocia**, Neuberger, recommended **iShares U.S. Utilities ETF** (NYSE:IDU).

**Joseph M. Terranova**, senior managing director for Virtus Investment Partners, named **Merck & Co., Inc.** (NYSE:MRK) as his final trade.

Supporting his view, Daiwa Capital analyst Narumi Nakagiri, on Aug. 12, upgraded Merck from Neutral to Outperform and raised the price target from $120 to $143.

**Price Action:**

-   Cisco shares gained 1.1% to close at $112.90 on Monday.
-   Cheniere Energy shares fell 1.7% to settle at $266.93 during the session.
-   iShares U.S. Utilities ETF fell 0.3% on Monday.
-   Merck shares rose 0.1% to close at $135.97 on Monday.

*Photo via Shutterstock*

### Related Stocks

- [CQP.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CQP.US.md)
- [LNG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/LNG.US.md)
- [MRK.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MRK.US.md)
- [CSCO.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CSCO.US.md)
- [CSCS.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CSCS.US.md)
- [CSCL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CSCL.US.md)
- [IDU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/IDU.US.md)

## Related News & Research

- [J.P. Morgan Sticks to Their Sell Rating for Cheniere Energy Partners (CQP)](https://longbridge.com/en/news/298324913.md)
- [Cheniere Energy, Freeport-McMoRan And A Financial Stock On CNBC’s ‘Final Trades’](https://longbridge.com/en/news/298460375.md)
- [Merck Targets $70B Pipeline as It Prepares for KEYTRUDA Exclusivity Loss](https://longbridge.com/en/news/298558395.md)
- [Merck (MRK), Why Is Its Latest Update Raising Bigger Questions?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/298090109.md)
- [B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG Grows Holdings in Cheniere Energy, Inc. $LNG](https://longbridge.com/en/news/297873279.md)

---
> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**