Merck KGaA: Release according to Article 26, Section 1 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution

Merck KGaA / Release of an announcement according to Article 27a
Section 1 of the WpHG

20.07.2010 11:05

Dissemination of a Voting Rights announcement, transmitted by
DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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On July 19, 2010 BlackRock notified us of the following:

'In respect of section 27a of the Securities Trading Act (WpHG) regarding
notification requirements applicable to BlackRock's holding in Merck KGaA,
please find the following response to the four queries on behalf of
BlackRock Inc.

In respect of the aims underlying the purchase of voting rights, the
notifying party shall notify whether:

1. The investment is aimed at implementing strategic objectives or at
generating a trading profit: NOT APPLICABLE

2. It plans to acquire further voting rights within the next twelve months
by means of a purchase or by any other means: NOT APPLICABLE

3. It intends to exert an influence on the appointment or removal of
members of the issuer's administrative, managing and supervisory bodies:
THE ONLY INFLUENCE WE INTEND TO EXERT WOULD BE THROUGH THE ROUTINE VOTING
AT THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, AND POSSIBLY ANY SPECIAL GENERAL
MEETINGS SHOULD THEY BE CALLED. THE RESOLUTIONS ON WHICH WE WOULD VOTE
WOULD NORMALLY BE PROPOSED BY THE COMPANY'S MANAGING OR SUPERVISORY BOARDS.

4. It intends to achieve a material change in the company's capital
structure, in particular as regards the ratio between own funds and
external funds and the dividend policy: NOT APPLICABLE.'



20.07.2010 Ad hoc announcement, Financial News and Press Release
distributed by DGAP.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

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Language:     English
Company:      Merck KGaA
              Frankfurter Str. 250
              64293 Darmstadt
              Deutschland
Internet:     www.merck.de
 
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
 
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