STOCK TITAN

Merck (NYSE: MRK) awards options and RSUs to EVP DeLuca

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

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. executive Richard R. DeLuca, EVP & President of Merck Animal Health, reported compensation-related equity grants rather than open-market trades. He received 34,924 stock options with an exercise price of $113.15 per share, which vest in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029, and expire on 5/4/2036.

DeLuca also received 11,931 restricted stock units, each representing one share of Merck common stock, vesting and settling in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029. Following these grants, he holds 161,537.0700 common shares directly and 1,320.9907 shares indirectly through a 401(k) plan.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Insider DeLuca Richard R.
Role EVP&Pres, Merck Animal Heallth
Type Security Shares Price Value
Grant/Award Restricted Stock Unit 11,931 $0.00 --
Grant/Award Stock Option (Right to Buy) 34,924 $0.00 --
holding Common Stock -- -- --
holding Common Stock - 401(k) Plan -- -- --
Holdings After Transaction: Restricted Stock Unit — 11,931 shares (Direct, null); Stock Option (Right to Buy) — 34,924 shares (Direct, null); Common Stock — 161,537.07 shares (Direct, null); Common Stock - 401(k) Plan — 1,320.991 shares (Indirect, By 401(k))
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 34,924 shares Stock Option (Right to Buy) granted on 5/5/2026
Option exercise price $113.15 per share Conversion or exercise price of stock options
RSUs granted 11,931 units Restricted Stock Unit grant on 5/5/2026
Direct common stock holding 161,537.0700 shares Total common shares following transaction, direct ownership
401(k) common stock holding 1,320.9907 shares Common Stock - 401(k) Plan, indirect ownership
Option vesting dates 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, 5/5/2029 Equal installments when options vest and become exercisable
Option expiration date 5/4/2036 Expiration of stock options if unexercised
RSU vesting schedule 5/5/2027–5/5/2029 RSUs vest and distribute in three equal installments
Restricted Stock Unit financial
"Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share"
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"
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.
vests and becomes exercisable financial
"The option vests and becomes exercisable in equal installments on 5/5/2027"
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*
DeLuca Richard R.

(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&Pres, Merck Animal Heallth
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 Stock161,537.07D
Common Stock - 401(k) Plan1,320.9907IBy 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)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Restricted Stock Unit(1)05/05/2026A11,93105/05/2027(2)05/05/2029Common Stock11,931$011,931D
Stock Option (Right to Buy)$113.1505/05/2026A34,92405/05/2027(3)05/04/2036Common Stock34,924$034,924D
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 Richard R. DeLuca, Jr.05/07/2026
** 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 did Merck (MRK) executive Richard DeLuca report in this Form 4?

Richard DeLuca reported equity compensation grants, not open-market trades. He received stock options and restricted stock units that vest over time, along with updated holdings in Merck common stock held directly and through a 401(k) plan.

How many stock options did Richard DeLuca receive from Merck (MRK)?

Richard DeLuca received 34,924 stock options. These options have an exercise price of $113.15 per share and vest in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029, with an expiration date of 5/4/2036.

What restricted stock unit (RSU) grant did Merck (MRK) report for Richard DeLuca?

Merck granted Richard DeLuca 11,931 restricted stock units. Each RSU represents a contingent right to one Merck common share and vests in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029, when shares are distributed.

When do Richard DeLuca’s new Merck (MRK) equity awards vest?

Both the stock options and restricted stock units vest over three years. Vesting occurs in equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029, aligning the executive’s compensation with longer-term company performance.

How many Merck (MRK) shares does Richard DeLuca hold after these grants?

After the reported grants, Richard DeLuca holds 161,537.0700 shares of Merck common stock directly. He also has 1,320.9907 Merck shares held indirectly through a 401(k) plan, reflecting his ongoing equity stake in the company.

Do Richard DeLuca’s reported Merck (MRK) transactions involve stock sales?

The reported transactions involve grants of stock options and restricted stock units, not stock sales. The Form 4 shows acquisitions of derivative awards as part of compensation, with no open-market purchases or disposals indicated in the provided data.