STOCK TITAN

Merck (NYSE: MRK) EVP awarded stock options and RSUs in new grant

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

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. executive vice president and Chief Information & Digital Officer David Michael Williams reported new equity awards. He received stock options on 13,582 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $113.15 per share and 4,640 restricted stock units, both vesting in three equal installments from 2027 to 2029. Following these awards, his directly held common stock position is reported as 31,716.037 shares.

Positive

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Insider Williams David Michael
Role EVP,Chief Info&Digital Officer
Type Security Shares Price Value
Grant/Award Restricted Stock Unit 4,640 $0.00 --
Grant/Award Stock Option (Right to Buy) 13,582 $0.00 --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
Holdings After Transaction: Restricted Stock Unit — 4,640 shares (Direct, null); Stock Option (Right to Buy) — 13,582 shares (Direct, null); Common Stock — 31,716.037 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.
Common stock held after transaction 31,716.037 shares Direct holdings following reported transactions
Stock options granted 13,582 shares Right to buy Merck common stock
Option exercise price $113.15 per share Exercise price for 13,582 stock options
RSUs granted 4,640 units Restricted stock units convertible into common shares
Vesting schedule start May 5, 2027 First vesting date for options and RSUs
Option expiration May 4, 2036 Expiration date for granted stock options
Restricted Stock Unit financial
"Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Merck & Co., Inc. 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.
Stock Option (Right to Buy financial
"The option vests and becomes exercisable in equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and, 5/5/2029."
vest financial
"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."
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.
exercise price financial
"The option vests and becomes exercisable in equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and, 5/5/2029."
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.
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*
Williams David Michael

(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)
Director10% Owner
XOfficer (give title below)Other (specify below)
EVP,Chief Info&Digital Officer
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
Common Stock31,716.037D
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)05/05/2026A4,64005/05/2027(2)05/05/2029Common Stock4,640$04,640D
Stock Option (Right to Buy)$113.1505/05/2026A13,58205/05/2027(3)05/04/2036Common Stock13,582$013,582D
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. W. Grez as Attorney-in-Fact for David Michael Williams05/07/2026
** 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)

FAQ

What insider transactions did Merck (MRK) EVP David Michael Williams report?

David Michael Williams reported receiving new equity awards, not buying or selling stock on the market. He was granted stock options on 13,582 Merck common shares and 4,640 restricted stock units, both structured as compensation that vests over several years starting in 2027.

How many Merck (MRK) stock options were granted to David Michael Williams?

He was granted stock options covering 13,582 shares of Merck common stock. These options have an exercise price of $113.15 per share and vest in three equal installments on May 5, 2027, May 5, 2028, and May 5, 2029, if service conditions are met.

What restricted stock units did Merck (MRK) grant to David Michael Williams?

He received 4,640 restricted stock units, each representing a contingent right to one Merck common share. The units vest and are distributed in three equal installments on May 5, 2027, May 5, 2028, and May 5, 2029, subject to the award terms and continued employment.

When do David Michael Williams’ Merck (MRK) equity awards vest and expire?

Both the stock options and restricted stock units vest in three equal installments on May 5, 2027, May 5, 2028, and May 5, 2029. The stock options expire on May 4, 2036, if not exercised, while the restricted stock units distribute shares as they vest.

How many Merck (MRK) shares does David Michael Williams hold after these transactions?

After the reported transactions, he directly holds 31,716.037 shares of Merck common stock. In addition, he now holds derivative awards consisting of options on 13,582 shares and 4,640 restricted stock units that are scheduled to vest over the 2027–2029 period.

Are David Michael Williams’ Merck (MRK) Form 4 transactions open-market trades?

No, the Form 4 shows compensation-related grants coded as “A,” indicating awards rather than open-market purchases or sales. The transactions involve new stock options and restricted stock units that vest over time, instead of immediate buying or selling of Merck shares in the market.