Merck (MRK) SVP Smart exercises 1,408 RSUs with 483 shares for tax
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
4
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Merck & Co., Inc. senior vice president Dalton E. Smart III reported routine equity compensation activity. On April 29–30, 2026, he exercised restricted stock units covering 1,408 shares of common stock, converting them into directly held shares.
Across these transactions, 483 shares of common stock were withheld at prices of $110.03 and $110.95 per share to satisfy tax obligations, so they were not open-market sales. Following the transactions, he directly holds 9,137.315 shares of Merck common stock.
Footnotes show he also holds 1,889 restricted stock units, each representing a contingent right to one share of Merck common stock. These units vest and are distributed in three equal installments on 4/29/2026, 4/29/2027, 4/29/2028, and on 4/30/2025, 4/30/2026, and 4/30/2027.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insider Trade Summary
1,408 shares exercised/converted
Mixed
6 txns
Insider
Smart Dalton E. III
Role
SVP Fin. - Global Controller
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit | 464 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 464 | $110.95 | $51K |
| Tax Withholding | Common Stock | 159 | $110.95 | $18K |
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit | 944 | $0.00 | -- |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 944 | $110.03 | $104K |
| Tax Withholding | Common Stock | 324 | $110.03 | $36K |
Holdings After Transaction:
Restricted Stock Unit — 465 shares (Direct, null);
Common Stock — 9,296.315 shares (Direct, null)
Footnotes (1)
- Holdings include shares acquired in dividend reinvestment transactions. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock. These restricted stock units vest and are distributed as shares of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock in three equal installments on 4/29/2026, 4/29/2027 and 4/29/2028. These restricted stock units vest and are distributed as shares of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock in three equal installments on 4/30/2025, 4/30/2026 and 4/30/2027.
Key Figures
RSU shares exercised: 1,408 shares
Tax-withholding shares: 483 shares
Common shares held after: 9,137.315 shares
+3 more
6 metrics
RSU shares exercised
1,408 shares
Restricted stock units converted to Merck common stock on April 29–30, 2026
Tax-withholding shares
483 shares
Common stock withheld to cover tax obligations on April 29–30, 2026
Common shares held after
9,137.315 shares
Direct Merck common stock holdings following the April 30, 2026 transactions
RSUs outstanding
1,889 units
Restricted stock units remaining after April 29, 2026 transaction
Tax price per share 4/29
$110.03 per share
Price used for common stock tax-withholding on April 29, 2026
Tax price per share 4/30
$110.95 per share
Price used for common stock tax-withholding on April 30, 2026
Key Terms
Restricted Stock Unit, tax-withholding disposition, derivative security, contingent right, +1 more
5 terms
Restricted Stock Unit financial
"The filing lists transactions in a security titled "Restricted Stock Unit" tied to Merck common stock."
A restricted stock unit is a promise from a company to give an employee shares of stock after certain conditions are met, like staying with the company for a set amount of time. It’s like earning a bonus that turns into company stock once you’ve proven your commitment, making it a way to motivate and reward employees.
tax-withholding disposition financial
"Transactions coded F are described as a tax-withholding disposition used to satisfy tax liability."
A tax-withholding disposition is an event or transaction—such as selling or transferring securities, exercising options, or receiving compensation—that triggers a requirement to hold back part of the payment and remit it to tax authorities. It matters to investors because it reduces the cash they receive immediately and can change the timing and amount of taxable income, like a cashier taking a portion of your sale proceeds to pay taxes before you get the rest.
derivative security financial
"Code M is defined as an exercise or conversion of a derivative security into common stock."
A derivative security is a financial contract whose value comes from the price or performance of something else, such as a stock, bond, commodity, or market index. For investors it acts like an insurance policy or a wager: it can be used to protect against losses, lock in prices, or amplify gains and losses, so it can change a portfolio’s risk and potential return without owning the underlying asset directly.
contingent right financial
"Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Merck common stock."
dividend reinvestment transactions financial
"Footnotes state that holdings include shares acquired in dividend reinvestment transactions."
FAQ
What insider transactions did Merck (MRK) executive Dalton E. Smart III report?
Dalton E. Smart III reported exercising restricted stock units into 1,408 shares of Merck common stock. In related entries, 483 shares were withheld to cover tax obligations rather than sold in the market, reflecting routine equity compensation activity rather than discretionary share purchases or sales.
What restricted stock unit (RSU) position does the Merck (MRK) executive retain?
The filing shows Dalton E. Smart III holding 1,889 restricted stock units after the reported activity. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one Merck common share, providing additional equity exposure that will convert into stock as the units vest over time.
When do Dalton E. Smart III’s Merck (MRK) restricted stock units vest?
Footnotes state that certain RSUs vest and are distributed in three equal installments on 4/29/2026, 4/29/2027, and 4/29/2028. Another RSU grant vests in three equal installments on 4/30/2025, 4/30/2026, and 4/30/2027, creating a multi-year vesting schedule.