MERCK AND COMPANY, INC.
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FORM 11-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
Commission file number 001-3305
A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
Merck and Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 100
Whitehouse Station, New Jersey 08889-0100
 
 

 


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REQUIRED INFORMATION
The following financial statements are furnished for the Plan:
1.   The plan is subject to ERISA therefore the Plan is filing Plan financial statements and schedules prepared in accordance with financial reporting requirements of ERISA.
 
2.   A written consent of the accountant.

 


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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule
December 31, 2005 and 2004

 


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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Index
December 31, 2005 and 2004
 
         
    Page(s)
    1  
 
       
Financial Statements
       
 
       
    2  
 
       
    3  
 
       
    4-9  
 
       
Supplemental Schedule*
       
 
       
    10  
 
*   Note: Other schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 have been omitted because they are not applicable.

 


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(PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LETTERHEAD)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Participants and Administrator of
Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of Merial 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Plan”) at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
(-s- PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP)
Atlanta, Georgia
June 26, 2006

 


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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
December 31, 2005 and 2004
 
                 
(in thousands of dollars)   2005     2004  
Assets
               
Investments, at fair value
               
Common stocks
  $ 14,608     $ 17,543  
Common/collective trust funds
    10,468       8,592  
Mutual funds
    78,172       68,648  
Loans to participants
    1,706       1,535  
 
           
Total investments
    104,954       96,318  
Cash equivalents
    259       450  
Receivables
               
Accrued income
    168       173  
Unsettled investment sales
    256       29  
 
           
Total receivables
    424       202  
 
           
Total assets
    105,637       96,970  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities
               
Payables
               
Unsettled investment purchases
    25       8  
 
           
Total liabilities
    25       8  
 
           
Net assets available for benefits
  $ 105,612     $ 96,962  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available For Benefits
Year Ended December 31, 2005
 
         
(in thousands of dollars)   2005  
Additions to net assets attributed to:
       
Interest and dividend income
  $ 1,573  
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
    5,591  
Contributions
     
Participants
    11,668  
Employer
    3,734  
Rollovers from other plans
    569  
 
     
Total contributions
    15,971  
 
     
Total additions
    23,135  
 
     
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
       
Benefits paid to participants
    13,687  
In-kind distributions to participants
    783  
Administrative expenses
    15  
 
     
Total deductions
    14,485  
 
     
Net increase
    8,650  
Net assets available for benefits:
       
Beginning of year
    96,962  
 
     
End of year
  $ 105,612  
 
     
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
 
1.   Description of the Plan
 
    The following description of the Merial 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Plan”) is provided for general information purposes. Participants of the Plan should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.
 
    General
The Plan is a defined contribution plan, which is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The Plan covers all full-time and part-time employees of Merial Limited and Merial Select (the “Company”), who have enrolled as participants. The Plan was originally adopted effective January 1, 1989.
 
    Eligibility
An employee is eligible to participate in the Plan as soon as administratively feasible, following the date on which he or she performs his or her first hour of service with the employer and executes a salary reduction agreement. Employees who are part of a collective bargaining agreement or are not United States citizens are not eligible to participate in the Plan.
 
    Participant Contributions
Under the provision of the Plan, allowable contributions are outlined as follows:
 
    Salary Reduction Agreement: Participants may elect to enter a salary reduction agreement of up to 15% of the participant’s compensation. These amounts are credited to the participant’s account as pre-tax contributions. The maximum amount of compensation that a participant may elect to defer for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $14,000.
 
    Voluntary Contributions: In addition to pre-tax contributions made through the salary reduction agreement, a participant may make voluntary non-deductible contributions to their account in an amount up to 15% of their compensation; provided, however, that the total percentage of voluntary contributions and salary reduction contributions do not exceed 15% of the participant’s compensation for each payroll period within a plan year.
 
    Catch up Contributions: Participants who have attained age 50 before the end of the Plan year are eligible to make catch-up contributions. The maximum catch-up contribution available to participants for 2005 was $4,000.
 
    Employer Contributions
 
    The employer makes matching contributions to the participant’s account equal to 100% of the participant’s salary reduction contributions and voluntary contributions up to 3% of the participant’s compensation and 50% of a participant’s salary reduction contributions between 3% and 6% of the participant’s compensation.
 
    Effective January 1, 2005, the Plan was amended such that compensation shall include commissions received by the participant from the employer.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
 
    Participant Accounts
Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and allocations of (a) the Company’s contribution and (b) Plan earnings, and charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.
 
    Vesting
Participants are vested immediately in their contributions and employer contributions plus actual earnings thereon.
 
    Investments
The trustee of the Plan is Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (hereafter referred to as “Trustee”). It is the duty of the Trustee to acquire and dispose of the Plan’s assets and to perform such other services as the Trustee shall deem necessary or desirable in connection with the management of the Plan’s investment holdings.
 
    Withdrawals
Participants may elect to withdraw any portion of their employee contribution accounts, employer match account, or rollover account for any reason after attainment of age 59 1/2. Participants under age of 59 1/2 that have a specified financial hardship may withdraw all or any portion of their salary reduction contributions.
 
    Participant Loans
Participants have the ability to borrow against their vested account balance in the Plan. Participants may borrow 50% of their vested account balance, up to $50,000 in any twelve-month period. The loans are collateralized by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest at rates that range from 4.75% to 9.50%, which are commensurate with local prevailing rates charged by lenders for similar loans.
 
    Each loan is collateralized by the assignment of the borrower’s entire right, title and interest in his/her participant account. Loans may be repaid over one to five years or thirty years, based on the type of loans, as defined, and the entire unpaid principal balance of the loan is due either upon the participant’s termination or a default in payment of either principal or interest. Repayment of a loan shall be made through payroll deduction at least quarterly.
 
    Payment of Benefits
When a participant terminates service with the Company or reaches his or her normal retirement date, the balance of the account is payable to the participant. For participants with account balances in excess of $5,000, an election is available to defer the distribution until the participant’s normal retirement date. The normal retirement date is the date the participant reaches age 65. Participants may elect to receive the distribution as either a lump sum payment in cash or annual installment payments in cash over a period not to exceed ten years.
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
    Basis of Accounting
The financial statements of the Plan are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
 
    Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes, herein, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
 
    Investment Valuation
Common stocks are valued on the basis of the closing price per share on December 31, 2005 and 2004 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or, if no sales were made on that date, at the closing price on the next preceding day on which sales were made. Investments in mutual funds and common/collective trust funds are valued at the last reported net asset value on each valuation date. Loans to participants are carried at their outstanding balance, which approximates fair value.
 
    Investment Transactions and Income
Investment transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis. The net appreciation or depreciation in market value of investments consists of realized gains and losses and changes in unrealized appreciation or depreciation of these investments during the year. Realized gains and losses on investments are determined on the basis of average cost. Unrealized gains or losses on investments are based on changes in the market values or fair values of such investments.
 
    Payment of Benefits
Distributions to participants are recorded when payment is made. In-service withdrawals will generally be made in cash. Participants have the option of requesting any portion of an in-service withdrawal that is invested in Merck and Company, Inc. (“Merck”) or Avantis ADRs in shares rather than cash (“in kind distribution”). In-kind distributions are recorded based on the market value of the shares at the date of distribution.
 
    Cash and cash equivalents
The Plan considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, when acquired, to be cash equivalents.
 
    Administrative Expenses
Administrative expenses may be paid by the Company. During 2005, expenses were paid by the Company with the exception of loan application and annual maintenance fees, which are paid directly out of the Plan’s funds and charged to the participants’ accounts. The loan application and annual loan maintenance fees are paid by specific participants with outstanding loans. Administrative expenses for 2005 were $15,000.
 
    Reclassification
Certain 2004 balances have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 financial statement presentation.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
 
3.   Investments
 
    Investments, at fair value are as follows:
                 
(in thousands of dollars)   2005     2004  
Common stocks:
               
Merck and Company, Inc.
  $ 12,346 *   $ 13,608 *
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
          1,556  
Aventis ADR**
          654  
Sanofi-Aventis ADR**
    2,262       1,725  
 
           
Total Common stocks
    14,608       17,543  
 
           
Common/Collective Trust Fund
               
Wells Fargo Collective Stable Return Fund
    10,468 *     8,592 *
 
           
Total Common/Collective Trust Fund
    10,468       8,592  
 
           
Mutual Funds
               
Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Growth Fund
    11,151 *     11,503 *
Allianze Small Cap Value Fund
    14,467 *     13,296 *
AIM Basic Value Fund
    11,351 *     11,501 *
Fidelity Investment Diversified International Fund
    10,055 *     7,425 *
Artisan Mid Cap Fund
    6,750 *     6,390 *
Pimco Total Return Fund
    5,109       4,483  
Wells Fargo Advantage Aggressive Allocation Fund
    3,617       2,934  
Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Balanced Fund
    3,273       2,633  
Wells Fargo Advantage Moderate Balance Fund
    2,150       1,900  
Wells Fargo Advantage Conservative Fund
    1,948       1,566  
Wells Fargo Advantage Index Fund
    1,750       1,351  
Neuberger Berman Fasciano
    1,368       948  
Lord Abbett Mid Cap Value
    5,183       2,718  
 
           
Total Mutual Funds
    78,172       68,648  
 
           
Loans to participants
    1,706       1,535  
 
           
Total investments
  $ 104,954     $ 96,318  
 
           
 
*   These investments represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets as of the end of the plan year.
 
**   ADR — American Depository Receipts

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
 
1.   During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated/(depreciated) in value by $5,591,000 as follows:
         
(in thousands of dollars)   2005  
Type of Investments
       
Common stocks
  $ 370  
Common/collective trust fund
    360  
Mutual Funds
    4,861  
 
     
 
  $ 5,591  
 
     
4.   Plan Termination
 
    Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company reserves the right under the Plan to terminate the Plan, in whole or in part, at any time subject to the provisions of ERISA. Whole or partial termination of the Plan shall result in full and immediate vesting of each affected participant in their entire account balance and there shall not thereafter be any forfeitures with respect to any such affected participant for any reason.
 
5.   Parties-In-Interest
 
    Certain plan investments are shares of mutual funds managed by the Trustee as defined by the Plan, and therefore these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions. Fees paid by the Plan for administrative expenses amounted to $15,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005.
 
    The Company is jointly (50/50) owned by Merck and Sanofi-Aventis (collectively the “Parents”). The Plan allows for investment in shares of the Parents.
 
    At December 31, 2005, the Plan held investments of $12,346,000 or 388,121 shares of Merck common stock.
 
    During 2003, Merck spun off its Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (Prescription Benefit Manager) (“Medco”) division into a separate company. As a result of this divestiture, participants in the Merck Stock plan received a pro-rata amount of Medco stock based on their Merck ownership. This Medco stock was established as a “wasting fund” within the Plan from which participants could sell shares but could not purchase additional shares. The Medco fund was liquidated in September, 2005. As of December 31, 2005, the Plan held no shares of Medco common stock.
 
    During the 2004 plan year, Aventis was purchased by a competitor, Sanofi Synthelabo, forming a new company known as Sanofi-Aventis. As part of the purchase, Sanofi Synthelabo tendered an offer to Aventis ADR (American Depository Receipts) Plan participants to purchase their stock in exchange for Sanofi Synthelabo stock and cash. This transaction resulted in a residual amount of Aventis ADRs (participants who did not exchange their Aventis ADRs) and Sanofi-Synthelabo ADRs (participants who exchanged their Aventis ADRs). The Aventis ADR Fund was frozen upon the sale of Aventis. An SEC Form S-8 is in preparation which will establish a Sanofi-Aventis ADR Fund, which will be opened to plan participants when approved.
 
    As of December 31, 2005 the Plan held investments of $2,262,000 or 51,512 shares of Sanofi-

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2005 and 2004
 
    Aventis ADR’s.
 
6.   Tax Status
 
    The Plan obtained its latest determination letter on September 7, 2001, in which the Internal Revenue Service stated that the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code. The Plan has been amended since its latest determination letter. The Plan administrator believes that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code. Therefore, the Plan administrator believes that the Plan was qualified and the related trust was tax exempt as of the financial statement date.
 
7.   Risks and Uncertainties
 
    The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participant’s account balances and amounts reported in the statement of net assets available for benefits.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
Schedule H, Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2005
 
(in thousands of dollars)
                 
    (b) Identity of issue   (c) Description of investments, including      
    borrower, lessor, or   maturity date, rate of interest, collateral,   (e) Current  
(a)   similar party   par or maturity value   value  
*
  Merck and Company, Inc.   Common Stock, 388,121 shares   $ 12,346  
*
  Sanofi-Aventis   51,512 American depository receipts     2,262  
 
             
 
  Total - Common Stock         14,608  
 
             
*
  Wells Fargo Collective Stable Return Fund   Common Collective Fund, 275,477 units     10,468  
 
             
 
  Total - Common Collective Trust Fund         10,468  
 
             
*
  Wells Fargo Large Company Growth Fund   Mutual Fund, 226,471 units     11,151  
 
  Allianz Small Cap Value Fund   Mutual Fund, 500,256 units     14,467  
 
  AIM Basic Value Fund   Mutual Fund, 331,719 units     11,351  
 
  Fidelity Investments Diversified International Fund   Mutual Fund, 476,534 units     10,055  
 
  Artisan Mid Cap Fund   Mutual Fund, 218,292 units     6,750  
 
  Pimco Total Return Fund   Mutual Fund, 486,592 units     5,109  
*
  Wells Fargo Advantage Aggressive Allocation Fund   Mutual Fund, 252,379 units     3,617  
*
  Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Balanced Fund   Mutual Fund, 112,358 units     3,273  
*
  Wells Fargo Advantage Moderate Balance Fund   Mutual Fund, 102,358 units     2,150  
*
  Wells Fargo Advantage Conservative Allocation Fund   Mutual Fund, 102,701 units     1,948  
*
  Wells Fargo Index Fund   Mutual Fund, 34,948 units     1,750  
 
  Neuberger Berman Fascino Fund   Mutual Fund, 32,270 units     1,368  
 
  Lord Abbett Mid Cap Value Fund   Mutual Fund, 231,290 units     5,183  
 
             
 
  Total - Mutual Fund         78,172  
 
             
*
  Participants' loans   Loans to participants at interest rates,        
 
      ranging from 4.75% to 9.50% with        
 
      maturities through 2030     1,706  
 
             
 
          $ 104,954  
 
             
 
*   Denotes party-in-interest to the Plan.

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SIGNATURES
EX-23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


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SIGNATURES
The Plan: Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
                 
 
               Merial 401(k) Savings Plan    
 
               
Date
  June 29, 2006        /s/ Jean Mauldin     
 
         
 
Jean Mauldin
   
 
          Chief Financial Officer