Guindo Chirfi 4

What Happened Guindo Chirfi, Chief Marketing Officer of Merck & Co. (MRK), received 9,865 shares as a performance-based award on January 26, 2026. The shares are recorded at $107.40 each, for a total value of $1,059,501. This was an award distribution (code A), not an open-market purchase or sale.

Key Details

• Transaction date and price: 2026-01-26 at $107.40 per share.
• Total shares received: 9,865; aggregate value reported: $1,059,501.
• Filing date: Form 4 filed 2026-01-28 — appears timely (within the usual 2-business-day window).
• Footnote highlights:
  • F1: These were net after-tax shares distributed on satisfaction of performance criteria for performance share units (PSUs) granted 3/31/2023; PSUs paid out at 94% of target and include dividends accrued over the three-year performance period ending 12/31/2025.
  • F2/F3: Holdings reported in the filing may include shares from dividend reinvestment and Merck’s U.S. Savings (401(k)) plan through Jan 8, 2026.
• Tax withholding: distribution was made as “net after tax” shares (some shares withheld to cover taxes).

Context This transaction reflects the payout of long-term, performance-based compensation (PSUs) rather than a market trade. Performance awards vest based on pre-established targets and payout levels (here, 94% of target); they do not necessarily indicate the insider’s current buying or selling sentiment.