The "test" will be if that gap closes under $51.5 and then if $49.5 gives or not. If the market as a bad stretch here in the near future, I think that MRK with one of the weaker charts on the Dow, will "yield"....By the way, I should add that the stop suggested on that 9/10/03 post (#msg-1422587) at $56.75 can now be lowered to $54.5, thus the risk is really quite minimal.
My work shows that MRK is "undervalued by earnings" and will rise on Monday. (Of all the Dow components, it is the most undervalued stock, using earnings as a basis for comparison.) It may go down after Monday, but it should rise on September 22nd.