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Merck (NYSE: MRK) EVP Brian Foard receives major stock option and RSU grants

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. reported that EVP, Specialty, Pharma, & ID Brian Foard received new equity awards. On May 5, 2026, he was granted a stock option covering 31,044 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $113.15 per share, vesting in three equal annual installments on May 5 of 2027, 2028, and 2029.

He was also granted restricted stock units for 35,351 shares and an additional 10,605 shares. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Merck common stock and vests, with shares distributed, in three equal installments on May 5, 2027, May 5, 2028, and May 5, 2029. These are compensation grants, not open-market purchases or sales.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

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Insider Foard Brian
Role EVP, Specialty, Pharma, & ID
Type Security Shares Price Value
Grant/Award Restricted Stock Unit 10,605 $0.00 --
Grant/Award Restricted Stock Unit 35,351 $0.00 --
Grant/Award Stock Option (Right to Buy) 31,044 $0.00 --
Holdings After Transaction: Restricted Stock Unit — 10,605 shares (Direct, null); Stock Option (Right to Buy) — 31,044 shares (Direct, null)
Footnotes (1)
  1. 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 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and, 5/5/2029. The option vests and becomes exercisable in equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and, 5/5/2029.
Stock options granted 31,044 shares Stock Option (Right to Buy) granted May 5, 2026
Option exercise price $113.15 per share Exercise price for 31,044-share option grant
Primary RSU grant 35,351 units Restricted Stock Units granted May 5, 2026
Additional RSU grant 10,605 units Additional Restricted Stock Units granted May 5, 2026
RSU conversion ratio 1 share per unit Each RSU equals one share of Merck common stock
Option vesting period 2027–2029 Option vests in equal installments on May 5, 2027–2029
RSU vesting dates May 5, 2027–2029 RSUs vest and settle in three equal annual installments
Stock Option (Right to Buy) financial
"security_title: Stock Option (Right to Buy)"
Restricted Stock Unit financial
"security_title: Restricted Stock Unit"
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.
contingent right financial
"represents a contingent right to receive one share"
vests and becomes exercisable financial
"The option vests and becomes exercisable in equal installments"
grant, award, or other acquisition financial
"transaction_code_description: Grant, award, or other acquisition"
Form 4 Insider Transactions: What Each Field Means →
SEC Form 4
FORM 4UNITED 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*
Foard Brian
(Last)(First)(Middle)
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)
Director10% Owner
XOfficer (give title below)Other (specify below)
EVP, Specialty, Pharma, & ID
2a. Foreign Trading Symbol
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
05/05/2026		6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
XForm 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)
CodeVAmount(A) or (D)Price
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)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Restricted Stock Unit(1)05/05/2026A10,60505/05/2027(2)05/05/2029Common Stock10,605$010,605D
Restricted Stock Unit(1)05/05/2026A35,35105/05/2027(2)05/05/2029Common Stock35,351$035,351D
Stock Option (Right to Buy)$113.1505/05/2026A31,04405/05/2027(3)05/04/2036Common Stock31,044$031,044D
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 E. Grez as Attorney-in-Fact for Brian Foard05/07/2026
** Signature of Reporting PersonDate
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)

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What equity awards did Merck (MRK) grant to EVP Brian Foard?

Merck granted EVP Brian Foard a stock option for 31,044 shares at an exercise price of $113.15, plus restricted stock units for 35,351 and 10,605 shares. These awards provide future rights to Merck common stock, subject to vesting.

What is the vesting schedule for Brian Foard’s Merck (MRK) stock options?

Brian Foard’s stock option for 31,044 shares vests in three equal installments on May 5, 2027, May 5, 2028, and May 5, 2029. Once vested, the option becomes exercisable at the fixed $113.15 per-share price.

When do Brian Foard’s Merck (MRK) restricted stock units vest and settle?

His restricted stock units, covering 35,351 and 10,605 shares, vest and are distributed as Merck common stock in three equal installments on May 5, 2027, May 5, 2028, and May 5, 2029, subject to continued eligibility under award terms.

What does each restricted stock unit represent for Merck (MRK) awards?

Each restricted stock unit granted to Brian Foard represents a contingent right to receive one share of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock. He receives actual shares only as units vest and are distributed on the specified installment dates.

Are Brian Foard’s Merck (MRK) Form 4 transactions market buys or sells?

No. The Form 4 shows grant/award acquisitions of stock options and restricted stock units, all coded as transaction type “A.” These are compensation-related equity awards and do not reflect open-market purchases or sales of Merck shares.