The performance of Merck shares vs. the DAX®/MDAX® in 2007

Higher share liquidity

In 2007, the Merck share price increased by 12.4% over 2006 while the DAX® and MDAX® recorded increases of 22.3% and 4.9%, respectively. The European index for pharmaceutical companies (Bloomberg Europe Pharmaceuticals Index) declined by 0.7% during the same period. In 2007, share trading volumes increased markedly once again also as a result of the capital increase. Average daily turnover was 773,682 shares - 63% more than in 2006.

With the capital increase at the beginning of 2007, 13,278,927 million new shares were offered by Merck KGaA. As a result of the capital increase, the general partner E. Merck OHG now holds 70.3% of the company while the free float increased to 29.7%. The new shares began trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Prime Standard) on February 7.