Merck Announces New $15B Share Repurchase Program

Merck MRK, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that its board of directors has authorized additional purchases of up to $15 billion of Merck's common stock for its treasury. The company expects to repurchase approximately $7.5 billion of common stock over the next 12 months, financed through a combination of debt issuance and operating cash flows, with the remainder to be repurchased over time with no time limit. Purchases may be made in open-market transactions, block transactions on or off an exchange, or in privately negotiated transactions. “This share repurchase program, combined with our strong dividend, reinforces our continued commitment to delivering increased value to shareholders,” said Kenneth See full press release