[15] Earnings per share Audited

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit after tax attributable to the shareholders of Merck KGaA by the weighted average number of theoretical shares outstanding. The use of a theoretical number of shares takes into account the fact that the general partner’s capital is not represented by shares. The share capital of € 168.0 million is divided into 64,621,126 shares. Accordingly, the general partner’s capital of € 397.2 million is divided into 152,767,813 theoretical shares. Overall, the total capital thus amounts to € 565.2 million or 217,388,939 theoretical shares outstanding.

As of December 31, 2011 there were no potentially dilutive shares.