Share Split To Make Merck Shares More Attractive to Private Investors

Merck announced that it plans to propose to its shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on May 9 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, a 2:1 share split.

“Over the past three years, the value of Merck shares has doubled, mainly thanks to the resolute implementation of our ‘Fit for 2018’ transformation and growth program. Merck is in excellent financial health. For one year now, the price of Merck shares has consistently been well over €100. Through a share split, we want to make Merck shares more attractive to private investors,” said Karl-Ludwig Kley, chairman of the Executive Board.

One existing no-par value share of the company with a pro rata amount of the share capital of €2.60 is to be split into two no-par value shares, each with a pro rata amount of the share capital of €1.30. This liquidity-supporting measure, which will not alter the value of the company, would double the number of Merck shares while the share price will be divided in half. No new funds will be added to the company. The share capital of the company amounting to €168,014,927.60 is currently divided into 64,621,126 no-par value shares.

On March 25, 2014, Merck shares closed at €120.95 in XETRA trading.