Merck (MRK) director Coe receives 1,853 phantom stock units in cash-settled award
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
4
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Merck & Co., Inc. director Mary Ellen Coe reported a routine compensation-related change in holdings. She received a grant of 1,853.0997 phantom stock units, each on a 1-for-1 basis referencing Merck common stock. These phantom units are to be settled 100% in cash upon her termination of service, following a distribution schedule elected under the Plan for Deferred Payment of Directors' Compensation. After the grant, she holds 31,765.6386 phantom stock units and 10 shares of Merck common stock, with share holdings including amounts acquired through dividend reinvestment transactions.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insider Trade Summary
2 transactions reported
Mixed
2 txns
Insider
Coe Mary Ellen
Role
null
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant/Award | Phantom Stock | 1,853.1 | $118.72 | $220K |
| holding | Common Stock | -- | -- | -- |
Holdings After Transaction:
Phantom Stock — 31,765.639 shares (Direct, null);
Common Stock — 10 shares (Direct, null)
Footnotes (1)
- 1-for-1 Phantom stock units are to be settled 100% in cash upon reporting person's termination of service in accordance with a distribution schedule elected pursuant to the terms of the Plan for Deferred Payment of Directors' Compensation. Holdings include shares acquired in dividend reinvestment transactions.
Key Figures
Phantom stock units granted: 1,853.0997 units
Phantom stock grant price: $118.72 per unit
Total phantom units after grant: 31,765.6386 units
+2 more
5 metrics
Phantom stock units granted
1,853.0997 units
Grant of phantom stock units to director on 2026-05-29
Phantom stock grant price
$118.72 per unit
Recorded transaction price for phantom stock grant
Total phantom units after grant
31,765.6386 units
Director’s phantom stock balance following the transaction
Common shares held
10 shares
Direct Merck common stock holdings after reported transactions
Conversion or exercise price
$0.00
Conversion/exercise price for phantom stock units
Key Terms
Phantom stock, Plan for Deferred Payment of Directors' Compensation, dividend reinvestment transactions, 1-for-1
4 terms
Phantom stock financial
"Phantom stock units are to be settled 100% in cash upon reporting person's termination of service"
A phantom stock is a form of compensation that gives employees or executives the benefits of stock ownership, such as the increase in stock value, without actually giving them real shares. It acts like a promise to pay the employee the equivalent value of company stock later, often as a bonus or incentive. This allows companies to motivate and reward staff without diluting ownership or transferring actual shares.
Plan for Deferred Payment of Directors' Compensation financial
"pursuant to the terms of the Plan for Deferred Payment of Directors' Compensation"
dividend reinvestment transactions financial
"Holdings include shares acquired in dividend reinvestment transactions"
1-for-1 financial
"1-for-1"
FAQ
What did Merck (MRK) director Mary Ellen Coe report in this Form 4?
Mary Ellen Coe reported a grant of 1,853.0997 phantom stock units tied 1-for-1 to Merck common stock. The filing also shows she now directly holds 10 common shares, including shares acquired through dividend reinvestment transactions.
Is the Merck (MRK) phantom stock grant a cash-settled award?
Yes. The phantom stock units are to be settled 100% in cash upon Mary Ellen Coe’s termination of service. Payment timing follows a distribution schedule she elected under the Plan for Deferred Payment of Directors' Compensation.
How many phantom stock units does Mary Ellen Coe hold after this Merck (MRK) transaction?
Following the grant, Mary Ellen Coe holds a total of 31,765.6386 phantom stock units. Each unit references one share of Merck common stock, but the award will be settled entirely in cash, not by delivering actual shares.
Did Mary Ellen Coe buy or sell Merck (MRK) common stock in this Form 4?
The Form 4 does not show any open-market purchases or sales of Merck common stock. It reports a grant of phantom stock units and lists that she directly holds 10 common shares, including shares from dividend reinvestment transactions.
What does the 1-for-1 phantom stock notation mean for Merck (MRK)?
The 1-for-1 notation means each phantom stock unit tracks the value of one Merck common share. However, these units are bookkeeping entries only and will be settled entirely in cash, rather than by issuing actual Merck stock.
How is the Merck (MRK) director phantom stock grant priced in this filing?
The phantom stock grant to Mary Ellen Coe is recorded at 1,853.0997 units with a transaction price of $118.72 per unit. The conversion price is shown as $0.00, reflecting that no additional exercise price is required for these cash-settled units.