Merck's stock gives big boost to Dow futures after rival drug's disappointing trial

Merck & Co. Inc.'s stock soared $6.16, or 11%, in active premarket trade Friday, after a late-stage trial of a rival's cancer treatment failed to meet its primary endpoint. That puts the stock on track to open at the highest level seen since Dec. 10, 2001. The share-price gain would add about 42 points to the Dow Jones Industrial Average , which is a price-weighted index. Dow futures were up 95 points. Merck's stock took off after Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. shares plunged 18% ahead of the open, after the drug maker said a phase 3 trial of its lung cancer treatment failed to meet its primary endpoint.

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