In 2013, the Merck share price rose by more than 30%, thus outperforming the DAX® by five percentage points. Merck shares were six percentage points stronger than the relevant pharmaceutical industry index and also outperformed the relevant chemical industry index by nearly 17 percentage points. Reaching an annual high of € 130.50 at the beginning of December 2013, Merck shares also hit a new all-time high, closing not far from this level at € 130.25 at the end of December 2013.
The average daily trading volume decreased by 25%, from around 300,000 in 2012 to more than 230,000 shares in 2013. The North America region continued to dominate with around 43% of shares in free float, slightly down compared to 51% in 2012. By investor type, GARP (growth at reasonable price) and value investors dominated, as in 2012. At the end of 2013, the top five investors held around 28% of the free float*.
Share price development from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013
* Relative to the Group’s net shareholding