DGAP-PVR: 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 

30.09.2014 16:40

Dissemination of a Voting Rights Announcement, transmitted by
DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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On 30 September 2014, we have been notified of the following:

Following a review, conducted in close collaboration with the Bundesanstalt
für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin), of the way BlackRock has
interpreted its voting rights disclosure obligations under German law,
BlackRock entities are filing today a statement representing their holdings
as at the settlement date of 25 September 2014 in MERCK
Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien.

The statement does not reflect a change in BlackRock's current holdings of
voting rights. The statement simply updates information currently in the
market regarding BlackRock's holdings in MERCK Kommanditgesellschaft auf
Aktien.  Further, the statement does not signify any change in investment
strategies pursued.

Also, BlackRock issues a press release detailing the BlackRock group
entities and their respective voting rights applicable to MERCK
Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien and other relevant German issuers on
http://www.blackrock.com/corporate/en-gb/news-and-insights/press-releases
and on Bloomberg.

VOTING RIGHTS DISCLOSURE

1. BlackRock, Inc.

Section 21, 22
BlackRock, Inc., New York, NY, U.S.A., hereby informs you pursuant to Sec.
21 para. 1 WpHG that its share in the voting rights of MERCK
Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (ISIN DE0006599905) on 25 September 2014
amounts to 5.86% (this corresponds to 7,573,824 out of a total of
129,242,252 voting rights (the 'Total Voting Rights')).

2.85% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 3,682,455 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock, Inc. pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1
sentence 1 No. 1 WpHG.

2.57% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 3,324,330 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock, Inc. pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1
sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.37% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 475,273 voting
rights) are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1
WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection
with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.07% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 91,766 voting rights)
are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 2 in
connection with sentence 2 WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1
sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

The voting rights pursuant to Sec. 21 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1 WpHG are
attributed from the following undertakings which are controlled by
BlackRock, Inc. and whose holdings of voting rights amount to 3% each or
more in MERCK Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien: BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.;
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc..

2. BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Section 21, 22
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc., Wilmington, DE, U.S.A., hereby informs you
pursuant to Sec. 21 para. 1 WpHG that its share in the voting rights of
MERCK Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (ISIN DE0006599905) on 25 September
2014 amounts to 5.77% (this corresponds to 7,458,080 out of a total of
129,242,252 voting rights (the 'Total Voting Rights')).

2.85% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 3,682,455 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. pursuant to Sec.
22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1 WpHG.

2.48% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 3,208,586 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. pursuant to Sec.
22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.37% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 475,273 voting
rights) are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1
WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection
with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.07% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 91,766 voting rights)
are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 2 in
connection with sentence 2 WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1
sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

The voting rights pursuant to Sec. 21 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1 WpHG are
attributed from the following undertakings which are controlled by
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. and whose holdings of voting rights amount to 3%
each or more in MERCK Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien: BlackRock Financial
Management, Inc..

3. BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.

Section 21, 22
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., New York, NY, U.S.A., hereby informs
you pursuant to Sec. 21 para. 1 WpHG that its share in the voting rights of
MERCK Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (ISIN DE0006599905) on 25 September
2014 amounts to 5.74% (this corresponds to 7,423,690 out of a total of
129,242,252 voting rights (the 'Total Voting Rights')).

2.85% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 3,682,455 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1 WpHG.

0.005% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 6,340 voting rights)
are to be attributed to BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. pursuant to
Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 WpHG.

2.45% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 3,167,856 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2
WpHG.

0.37% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 475,273 voting
rights) are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1
WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection
with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.07% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 91,766 voting rights)
are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 2 in
connection with sentence 2 WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1
sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

4. BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.

Section 21, 22
BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc., New York, NY, U.S.A., hereby informs you
pursuant to Sec. 21 para. 1 WpHG that its share in the voting rights of
MERCK Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (ISIN DE0006599905) on 25 September
2014 amounts to 2.99% (this corresponds to 3,866,302 out of a total of
129,242,252 voting rights (the 'Total Voting Rights')).

2.03% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 2,619,654 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc. pursuant
to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1 WpHG.

0.07% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 91,766 voting rights)
are to be attributed to BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc. pursuant to Sec.
22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 2 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.57% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 741,837 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc. pursuant
to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.32% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 413,045 voting
rights) are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1
WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection
with sentence 2 WpHG.

5. BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.

Section 21, 22
BlackRock International Holdings, Inc., New York, NY, U.S.A., hereby
informs you pursuant to Sec. 21 para. 1 WpHG that its share in the voting
rights of MERCK Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (ISIN DE0006599905) on 25
September 2014 amounts to 2.99% (this corresponds to 3,866,302 out of a
total of 129,242,252 voting rights (the 'Total Voting Rights')).

2.03% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 2,619,654 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1 WpHG.

0.07% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 91,766 voting rights)
are to be attributed to BlackRock International Holdings, Inc. pursuant to
Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 2 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.57% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 741,837 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.
pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2
WpHG.

0.32% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 413,045 voting
rights) are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1
WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection
with sentence 2 WpHG.

6. BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.

Section 21, 22
BR Jersey International Holdings L.P., St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands,
hereby informs you pursuant to Sec. 21 para. 1 WpHG that its share in the
voting rights of MERCK Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (ISIN DE0006599905)
on 25 September 2014 amounts to 2.99% (this corresponds to 3,866,302 out of
a total of 129,242,252 voting rights (the 'Total Voting Rights')).

2.03% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 2,619,654 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1 WpHG.

0.07% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 91,766 voting rights)
are to be attributed to BR Jersey International Holdings L.P. pursuant to
Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 2 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.57% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 741,837 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.
pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2
WpHG.

0.32% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 413,045 voting
rights) are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1
WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection
with sentence 2 WpHG.

7. BlackRock Group Limited

Section 21, 22
BlackRock Group Limited, London, United Kingdom, hereby informs you
pursuant to Sec. 21 para. 1 WpHG that its share in the voting rights of
MERCK Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (ISIN DE0006599905) on 25 September
2014 amounts to 2.73% (this corresponds to 3,528,780 out of a total of
129,242,252 voting rights (the 'Total Voting Rights')).

1.98% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 2,555,747 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock Group Limited pursuant to Sec. 22
para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1 WpHG.

0.43% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 559,988 voting
rights) are to be attributed to BlackRock Group Limited pursuant to Sec. 22
para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection with sentence 2 WpHG.

0.32% of the Total Voting Rights (this corresponds to 413,045 voting
rights) are to be attributed pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 1
WpHG as well as pursuant to Sec. 22 para. 1 sentence 1 No. 6 in connection
with sentence 2 WpHG.



30.09.2014 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
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
              Germany
Internet:     www.merck.de
 
End of Announcement                             DGAP News-Service
 
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