Merck EVP granted stock options and RSUs

Merck & Co., Inc. executive vice president Chirfi Guindo reported new equity awards and updated share holdings.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. executive vice president Chirfi Guindo reported new equity awards and updated share holdings. He received a grant of 19,402 stock options with an exercise price of $113.15 per share, vesting in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029.

He also received 6,628 restricted stock units, each representing one share of common stock, scheduled to vest and be distributed in three equal installments on the same dates. Following these awards, he holds 61,613.127 shares of common stock directly and 57.1377 shares indirectly through a 401(k) plan. These are compensation-related grants rather than open-market purchases or sales.

Insider Trade Summary

Grant/Award: 26,030 shares

Grant/Award 4 txns

Insider Guindo Chirfi

Role EVP, Access, Policy & Comms

Type	Security	Shares	Price	Value
Grant/Award	Restricted Stock Unit	6,628	$0.00	$0.00
Grant/Award	Stock Option (Right to Buy)	19,402	$0.00	$0.00
holding	Common Stock	--	--	--
holding	Common Stock-401(k) Plan	--	--	--

Holdings After Transaction: Restricted Stock Unit — 6,628 contracts (Direct); Stock Option (Right to Buy) — 19,402 contracts (Direct); Common Stock — 61,613.127 shares (Direct); Common Stock-401(k) Plan — 57.1377 shares (Indirect, By 401(k))

Footnotes (3)

1. F1. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock.
2. F2. These restricted stock units vest and are distributed as shares of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and, 5/5/2029.
3. F3. The option vests and becomes exercisable in equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and, 5/5/2029.

Key Figures

Stock options granted: 19,402 options Option exercise price: $113.15 per share RSUs granted: 6,628 units +3 more

6 metrics

Stock options granted 19,402 options Grant on May 5, 2026; right to buy Merck common stock

Option exercise price $113.15 per share Exercise price for 19,402 stock options

RSUs granted 6,628 units Restricted stock units granted May 5, 2026

Direct common stock holding 61,613.127 shares Shares of Merck common stock held directly after transactions

401(k) common stock holding 57.1377 shares Merck common stock held indirectly via 401(k) plan

Option expiration date May 4, 2036 Expiration for 19,402 stock options if unexercised

Key Terms

Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Option (Right to Buy), exercise price, vest, +1 more

5 terms

Restricted Stock Unit financial

"Restricted Stock Unit, 6,628.0000, each representing a contingent right"

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.

Stock Option (Right to Buy) financial

"Stock Option (Right to Buy) with an exercise price of 113.1500"

exercise price financial

"conversion_or_exercise_price: 113.1500 for the stock option grant"

The exercise price is the fixed amount at which you can buy or sell an asset, like a stock, when using an options contract. It matters because it helps determine whether exercising the option will be profitable or not, depending on the current market price. Think of it as the set price you agree on today to buy or sell later.

vest financial

"These restricted stock units vest and are distributed in three equal installments"

A vest is the process by which an employee earns the right to receive certain benefits or ownership interests, such as stock or retirement funds, over time. It’s similar to earning a reward gradually, ensuring that the benefit becomes fully yours only after a set period or meeting specific conditions. This makes it important for investors because it determines when they can actually claim or use those benefits.

401(k) Plan financial

"Common Stock-401(k) Plan held indirectly by 401(k)"

A 401(k) plan is a workplace retirement account that lets employees set aside part of their pay into a tax-advantaged savings pot, often with employers adding matching contributions — like a workplace piggy bank for future income. It matters to investors because the amount people save and how employers fund these plans influence consumer spending, corporate payroll costs and the flow of money into financial markets, which can affect stock prices and company valuations.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What equity awards did Merck (MRK) executive Chirfi Guindo receive?

Chirfi Guindo received 19,402 stock options and 6,628 restricted stock units in Merck common stock as part of his compensation, with both awards vesting in three equal annual installments starting on May 5, 2027.

What is the exercise price and vesting schedule of Guindo’s new Merck (MRK) stock options?

Guindo’s new stock options cover 19,402 shares at an exercise price of $113.15 per share. These options vest in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029, after which the vested portions become exercisable.

How do Chirfi Guindo’s Merck (MRK) restricted stock units vest?

Guindo’s 6,628 restricted stock units each convert into one share of Merck common stock. They vest and are distributed in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029, aligning with the stock option vesting dates.

How many Merck (MRK) shares does Chirfi Guindo hold after these transactions?

Following the reported awards, Guindo holds 61,613.127 Merck common shares directly and 57.1377 shares indirectly through a 401(k) plan, in addition to his newly granted but unvested options and restricted stock units.

Were there any open-market Merck (MRK) share purchases or sales by Chirfi Guindo?

No open-market purchases or sales are shown. The filing reports compensation-related grants of stock options and restricted stock units, plus updated direct and 401(k) holdings, without any Form 4 codes indicating open-market buying or selling activity.

When will Chirfi Guindo receive Merck (MRK) shares from his RSUs if vesting conditions are met?

If vesting conditions are satisfied, Guindo’s restricted stock units will be distributed as Merck common shares in three equal installments on May 5, 2027, May 5, 2028, and May 5, 2029, according to the footnote disclosures.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 05/07/2026 - 11:36 AM EDT Learn about SEC filing dates

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number:			3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:			0.5

Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Guindo Chirfi

(Last) (First) (Middle)

MERCK & CO., INC.

126 EAST LINCOLN AVENUE

(Street)

RAHWAY NEW JERSEY 07065

(City) (State) (Zip)

UNITED STATES

(Country)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Merck & Co., Inc. [ MRK ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	EVP, Access, Policy & Comms

2a. Foreign Trading Symbol

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
05/05/2026

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock								61,613.127	D
Common Stock-401(k) Plan								57.1377	I	By 401(k)

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Restricted Stock Unit	(1)	05/05/2026		A		6,628		05/05/2027(2)	05/05/2029	Common Stock	6,628	$0	6,628	D
Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$113.15	05/05/2026		A		19,402		05/05/2027(3)	05/04/2036	Common Stock	19,402	$0	19,402	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock.

2. These restricted stock units vest and are distributed as shares of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and, 5/5/2029.

3. The option vests and becomes exercisable in equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and, 5/5/2029.

	/s/ Kelly Grez, as attorney-in-fact for Chirfi Guindo	05/07/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.
* Form 4: SEC 1474 (03-26)