Oosthuizen Johannes Jacobus 4

What Happened
Johannes Jacobus Oosthuizen, EVP, Oncology & International at Merck, had 1,377 restricted stock units convert to common shares on 2026-04-29 (reported on Form 4 filed 2026-05-01). The company used a per-share value of $110.03, giving a gross value of ~$151,511. To cover tax obligations, 679 shares were withheld (tax withholding code F) valued at ~$74,710, leaving a net delivery of 698 shares to Oosthuizen. The filing also shows the RSU derivative conversion (code M) corresponding to the vesting.

Key Details

• Transaction date: 2026-04-29; Form 4 filed: 2026-05-01.
• Conversion/vesting: 1,377 RSUs converted to shares at $110.03 per share (gross $151,511).
• Tax withholding: 679 shares withheld to satisfy tax liability (value ~$74,710).
• Net shares delivered to insider: 698 shares.
• Footnotes: F1 = each RSU equals one share; F2 = these RSUs vest/distribute in three equal installments on 4/29/2026, 4/29/2027 and 4/29/2028.
• Codes: M = exercise/conversion of derivative (RSU conversion); F = payment of tax liability via share withholding.
• Shares owned after the transaction are not disclosed in this filing. Filing appears timely (filed two days after the transaction).

Context
This was a routine equity award vesting (RSU conversion) with a cashless withholding to cover taxes — not an open‑market purchase or sale. Such tax‑withholding disposals are common and do not by themselves indicate insider buying or selling sentiment.