Larson Betty D 4

What Happened

Betty D. Larson, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer of Merck & Co. (MRK), was granted two equity awards on 2026-05-05 totaling 31,237 units: 7,954 and 23,283 derivative awards reported at $0.00 acquisition price. These awards are compensation grants (restricted stock units and a stock option as indicated in the filing) rather than open-market purchases or sales, so they do not represent a cash trade.

Key Details

• Transaction date: 2026-05-05; Form 4 filed: 2026-05-07 (filed within the typical two-business-day window).
• Awards: 7,954 units and 23,283 units (total = 31,237 units); reported acquisition price $0.00 (derivative awards).
• Shares owned after the transaction: Not disclosed in the information provided in this summary.
• Footnotes:
  • F1: Each restricted stock unit (RSU) represents a contingent right to one share.
  • F2: RSUs vest and will be distributed in three equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029.
  • F3: The stock option vests and becomes exercisable in equal installments on 5/5/2027, 5/5/2028, and 5/5/2029.
• Filing timeliness: Filed two days after the grant date (appears timely under standard reporting rules).

Context

• These are compensation awards (RSUs and an option) that vest over three years; they are not immediate sales or purchases. RSUs convert to shares upon vesting; the option must be exercised after vesting to acquire shares.
• Such grants are routine for executive compensation and do not, by themselves, indicate the insider is buying or selling stock for investment reasons.