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, 2003

Commission file number 1-3305

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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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 6-29-05
  /s/ Jean Mauldin
 
   
 
  Jean Mauldin
 
  Chief Financial Officer

 


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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan

Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule
December 31, 2003 and 2002

 


     
Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
   
Index
   
December 31, 2003 and 2002
   
 
 EX-23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
         
    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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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 the Merial 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Plan”) at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 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 are 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.

(PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP)

Atlanta, Georgia
October 6, 2004

 


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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
   
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
   
December 31, 2003 and 2002
   
 
                 
(in thousands of dollars)   2003     2002  
Assets
               
Investments, at fair value (Note 4)
               
Common stocks
  $ 24,556     $ 35,948  
Common/collective trusts
    6,255        
American depository receipts
    2,293       1,679  
Shares of registered investment companies
    54,933       50,388  
Loans to participants
    1,470       1,413  
 
           
 
    89,507       89,428  
 
               
Receivables
               
Accrued income
    194        
Participant’s contribution
          378  
Employer’s contribution
          185  
 
           
Total receivables
    194       563  
 
           
Net assets available for benefits
  $ 89,701     $ 89,991  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
   
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available For Benefits
   
Year Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
   
 
                 
(in thousands of dollars)   2003     2002  
Additions to net assets attributed to
               
Interest and dividend income
  $ 995     $ 1,825  
Net appreciation/(depreciation) in fair value of investments
    8,590       (10,736 )
Contributions
               
Participants
    6,192       5,864  
Employer
    2,975       2,781  
Rollovers from other plans
    304       808  
 
           
Total contributions
    9,471       9,453  
 
           
Total additions
    19,056       542  
 
           
Deductions from net assets attributed to
               
Benefits paid to participants
    19,316       10,650  
Administrative expenses
    30       8  
 
           
Total deductions
    19,346       10,658  
 
           
Net decrease
    (290 )     (10,116 )
Net assets available for benefits
               
Beginning of year
    89,991       100,107  
 
           
End of year
  $ 89,701     $ 89,991  
 
           

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, 2003 and 2002
   
 

1.   Description of the Plan
 
    The following description of the Merial 40l(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 employees of Merial Limited (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, are not United States citizens, or are employed by Hubbard ISA, the poultry genetics division of the Company, 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 percent 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 in 2003 and 2002 was $12,000 and $11,000, respectively.
 
    Voluntary Contributions: In addition to employee contributions made through the salary reduction agreement, a participant may make voluntary non-deductible contributions to their account in an amount up to 15 percent of their compensation; provided, however, that the total percentage of voluntary contributions and salary reduction contributions do not exceed 15 percent of the participant’s compensation for each payroll period within a plan year.
 
    Employer Contributions

The employer makes matching contributions to the participant’s account equal to 100 percent of the participant’s salary reduction contributions and voluntary contributions up to 3 percent of the participant’s compensation and 50 percent of a participant’s salary reduction contributions between 3 percent and 6 percent of the participant’s compensation.
 
    Contribution Limitation

In order to satisfy the current rules of Section 415(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), the amount of annual additions, as defined, to each participant’s individual account are limited under the Plan. Accordingly, in no event shall the annual addition, as defined, exceed the lesser of $40,000 or 100 percent of the participant’s compensation, as defined, or such other limits as may be prescribed by the Code.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
   
Notes to Financial Statements
   
December 31, 2003 and 2002
   
 

    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

Effective October 1, 2003, the trustee of the plan changed from Fidelity Management Trust Company to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (collectively the “Trustees”). It is the duty of the Trustees to acquire and dispose of the Plan’s assets in each of the funds and to perform such other services as the Plan administrator shall deem necessary or desirable in connection with the management of the funds.
 
    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.
 
    Participant Loans

Participants have the ability to borrow against their vested account balance in the Plan. Participants may borrow 50 percent 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 percent to 9.50 percent, 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 their 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.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
   
Notes to Financial Statements
   
December 31, 2003 and 2002
   
 

2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
    Basis of Accounting

The financial statements of the Plan are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting.
 
    Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Plan’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the plan administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of contributions, revenues, benefit payments and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
 
    Investment Valuation and Income Recognition

The investments of the Plan are stated at the quoted market value. Market value is the unit valuation of a fund at year end (number of shares multiplied by net asset value) as determined by the Trustee of the Plan’s assets. Shares of mutual funds are valued at the net asset value of the shares held by the Plan at year end. Common stocks are valued at quoted market prices.
 
    Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest is accrued as earned. The net appreciation (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.
 
    Payment of Benefits

Benefits are recorded when paid.
 
    Risks and Uncertainties

The Plan provides for various investment options in 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 and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits and the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits.
 
3.   Administrative Expenses
 
    All costs and expenses of administering the Plan are borne by the Plan, unless paid by the Company at its discretion. Administrative expenses paid by the Plan for the 2003 and 2002 plan years were $30,177 and $8,202, respectively.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
   
Notes to Financial Statements
   
December 31, 2003 and 2002
   
 

4.   Investments
 
    Investments at fair value are as follows:
                 
(in thousands of dollars)   2003     2002  
Common stocks
               
Merck and Company, Inc.
  $ 22,785  *   $ 35,948  *
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    1,771        
 
           
 
    24,556       35,948  
 
           
 
               
American depository receipts (ADR)
               
Aventis ADR
    2,293       1,679  
 
           
 
    2,293       1,679  
 
           
 
               
Shares of registered investment companies
               
Wells Fargo Large Company Growth Fund
    11,556  *      
Pimco Small Cap Value Fund
    10,679  *      
AIM Basic Value Fund
    10,353  *      
Fidelity Diversified International Fund
    5,395  *     3,642  
Artisan Mid Cap Fund
    5,098  *      
Pimco Total Return Fund
    4,232        
Wells Fargo Strategic Growth Allocation Fund
    2,180        
Wells Fargo Growth Balanced Fund
    1,858        
Wells Fargo Moderate Balance Fund
    1,393        
Wells Fargo Strategic Income Fund
    1,111        
Wells Fargo Index Fund
    678        
Neuberger Berman Fasciano
    216        
Lord Abbett Mid Cap Value
    184        
Fidelity Large Capital Stock Fund
          10,914  *
Fidelity Low Priced Stock Fund
          8,450  *
Fidelity Equity Income Fund
          8,196  *
Fidelity Retirement Government Money Market Account
          7,509  *
Fidelity Intermediate Bond Fund
          4,357  
Fidelity Aggressive Growth Fund
          3,076  
Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund
          1,405  
Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund
          974  
Fidelity Freedom 2010 Fund
          962  
Fidelity Freedom Income Fund
          483  
Fidelity Freedom 2000 Fund
          420  
 
           
 
    54,933       50,388  
 
           
Common/Collective Trusts
               
Wells Fargo Collective Stable Return Fund
    6,255  *      
Loans to participants
    1,470       1,413  
 
           
Total investments
  $ 89,507     $ 89,428  
 
           
 
 *   These investments represent 5 percent or more of the Plan’s net assets as of the end of the plan year.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
   
Notes to Financial Statements
   
December 31, 2003 and 2002
   
 

    During 2003 and 2002, the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated/(depreciated) in value as follows:
                 
(in thousands of dollars)   2003     2002  
Type of Fund
               
 
               
Common stocks
  $ (2,741 )   $ (1,504 )
Common/collective trusts
    68        
American depository receipts
    438       (509 )
Shares of registered investment companies
    10,825       (8,723 )
 
           
 
  $ 8,590     $ (10,736 )
 
           

5.   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.
 
6.   Parties-In-Interest
 
    Certain Plan investments are shares of mutual funds managed by the Trustees 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 $30,177 and $8,202 for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
 
    The Company is jointly (50/50) owned by Merck and Aventis (collectively the “Parents”). The Plan allows for investment in shares of these Parents. As of December 31, 2003, the Plan held investments of $22,784,533 or 493,172 shares of Merck common stock and $2,293,036 or 34,607 shares of Aventis American depository receipts. As of December 31, 2002, the Plan held investments of $35,947,555 or 635,004 shares of Merck common stock and $1,678,442 or 30,173 shares of Aventis American depository receipts.
 
7.   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.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
   
Notes to Financial Statements
   
December 31, 2003 and 2002
   
 

8.   Contingencies
 
    The Plan is required to file an annual report on Form 11-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Plan has failed to file these 11-Ks and, therefore, could be subject to fines and penalties. The amount of such fines, if any, is unknown to the Plan at this time. However, the Company has indicated it will indemnify the Plan regarding any fines assessed. The Plan is currently attempting to file the required 11-Ks with the SEC.

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Merial 401(k) Savings Plan
   
Schedule H, Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
   
December 31, 2003
   
 
                 
    (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, 493,172 shares   $ 22,785  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Large Company Growth Fund, 255,265 units     11,556  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Pimco Small Cap Value Fund, 425,951 units     10,679  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   AIM Basic Value Fund, 354,081 units     10,353  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Collective Stable Return Fund, 177,970 units     6,255  
 
*
  Fidelity Investments   Diversified International Fund, 341,255 units     5,395  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Artisan Mid Cap Fund, 197,735 units     5,098  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Pimco Total Return Fund, 395,142 units     4,232  
 
*
  Aventis   34,607 American depository receipts     2,293  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Strategic Growth Allocation Fund, 166,528 units     2,180  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Growth Balanced Fund, 65,554 units     1,858  
 
 
  Medco Health Solutions, Inc.   Common Stock, 52,099 shares     1,771  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Moderate Balance Fund, 64,565 units     1,393  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Strategic Income Fund, 57,803 units     1,111  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Index Fund, 15,202 units     678  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Neuberger Berman Fascino Fund, 5,505 units     216  
 
*
  Wells Fargo   Lord Abbett Mid Cap Value Fund, 9,757 units     184  
 
*
  Participants’ loans  
Loans to participants at interest rates, ranging from 4.75% to 10.75% with maturities through 2030
    1,470  
 
             
 
          $ 89,507  
 
             
 
*   Denotes party-in-interest to the Plan.

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