Inventory Accounting Policy
Inventory Disclosure
Adjustment to Inventory: from LIFO to FIFO
Adjusted Ratios: LIFO vs. FIFO (Summary)
Adjusted Current Ratio
Adjusted Net Profit Margin
Adjusted Total Asset Turnover
Adjusted Financial Leverage
Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE)
Adjusted Return on Assets (ROA)

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of a substantial majority of U.S. pharmaceutical and vaccine inventories is determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for both financial reporting and tax purposes. The cost of all other inventories is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories consist of currently marketed products, as well as certain inventories produced in preparation for product launches that are considered to have a high probability of regulatory approval. In evaluating the recoverability of inventories produced in preparation for product launches, Merck considers the likelihood that revenue will be obtained from the future sale of the related inventory together with the status of the product within the regulatory approval process.

Source: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27).

Merck & Co. Inc., Statement of Financial Position, Inventory

US$ in millions

		Dec 31, 2018		Dec 31, 2017		Dec 31, 2016		Dec 31, 2015		Dec 31, 2014
	Finished goods
	Raw materials and work in process
	Supplies
	Inventories, approximates current cost
	Increase to LIFO costs
	Inventories
	Less: Inventories recognized as other assets
	Inventories, excludes inventories classified in Other assets

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27).

Item	Description	The company
Inventories	Amount after valuation and LIFO reserves of inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s inventories increased from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.

Adjusting LIFO Inventory to FIFO (Current) Cost

US$ in millions

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	Adjustment to Inventories
	Inventories at LIFO (as reported)
	Add: Inventory LIFO reserve
	Inventories at FIFO (adjusted)
	Adjustment to Current Assets
	Current assets (as reported)
	Add: Inventory LIFO reserve
	Current assets (adjusted)
	Adjustment to Total Assets
	Total assets (as reported)
	Add: Inventory LIFO reserve
	Total assets (adjusted)
	Adjustment to Total Merck & Co., Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
	Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity (as reported)
	Add: Inventory LIFO reserve
	Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity (adjusted)
	Adjustment to Net Income Attributable To Merck & Co., Inc.
	Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. (as reported)
	Add: Increase (decrease) in inventory LIFO reserve
	Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. (adjusted)

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27).

Merck & Co. Inc.’s inventory value on Dec 31, 2018 would be $6,856 (in millions) if the FIFO inventory method was used instead of LIFO. Merck & Co. Inc.’s inventories, valued on a LIFO basis, on Dec 31, 2018 were $6,857 . Merck & Co. Inc.’s inventories would have been $(1) higher than reported on Dec 31, 2018 if the FIFO method had been used instead.

Merck & Co. Inc., Financial Data: Reported vs. Adjusted

Merck & Co. Inc., adjusted ratios

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	Current Ratio
	Reported current ratio (LIFO)
	Adjusted current ratio (FIFO)
	Net Profit Margin
	Reported net profit margin (LIFO)
	Adjusted net profit margin (FIFO)
	Total Asset Turnover
	Reported total asset turnover (LIFO)
	Adjusted total asset turnover (FIFO)
	Financial Leverage
	Reported financial leverage (LIFO)
	Adjusted financial leverage (FIFO)
	Return on Equity (ROE)
	Reported ROE (LIFO)
	Adjusted ROE (FIFO)
	Return on Assets (ROA)
	Reported ROA (LIFO)
	Adjusted ROA (FIFO)

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27).

Ratio	Description	The company
Adjusted current ratio	A liquidity ratio calculated as adjusted current assets divided by current liabilities.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted current ratio deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.
Adjusted net profit margin	An indicator of profitability, calculated as adjusted net income divided by revenue.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted net profit margin deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 but then improved from 2017 to 2018 exceeding 2016 level.
Adjusted total asset turnover	An activity ratio calculated as total revenue divided by adjusted total assets.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted total asset turnover improved from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.
Adjusted financial leverage	A measure of financial leverage calculated as adjusted total assets divided by adjusted total equity. Financial leverage is the extent to which a company can effect, through the use of debt, a proportional change in the return on common equity that is greater than a given proportional change in operating income.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted financial leverage increased from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.
Adjusted ROE	A profitability ratio calculated as adjusted net income divided by adjusted shareholders’ equity.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted ROE deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 but then improved from 2017 to 2018 exceeding 2016 level.
Adjusted ROA	A profitability ratio calculated as adjusted net income divided by adjusted total assets.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted ROA deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 but then improved from 2017 to 2018 exceeding 2016 level.

Merck & Co. Inc., Ratios: Reported vs. Adjusted

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Current assets
	Current liabilities
	Ratio
	Current ratio¹
	Adjusted: from LIFO to FIFO
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Adjusted current assets
	Current liabilities
	Ratio
	Adjusted current ratio²

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27).

2018 Calculations

¹ Current ratio = Current assets ÷ Current liabilities
= hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

² Adjusted current ratio = Adjusted current assets ÷ Current liabilities
= hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

Ratio	Description	The company
Adjusted current ratio	A liquidity ratio calculated as adjusted current assets divided by current liabilities.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted current ratio deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
	Sales
	Ratio
	Net profit margin¹
	Adjusted: from LIFO to FIFO
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Adjusted net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
	Sales
	Ratio
	Adjusted net profit margin²

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27).

2018 Calculations

¹ Net profit margin = 100 × Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. ÷ Sales
= 100 × hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

² Adjusted net profit margin = 100 × Adjusted net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. ÷ Sales
= 100 × hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

Ratio	Description	The company
Adjusted net profit margin	An indicator of profitability, calculated as adjusted net income divided by revenue.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted net profit margin deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 but then improved from 2017 to 2018 exceeding 2016 level.

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Sales
	Total assets
	Ratio
	Total asset turnover¹
	Adjusted: from LIFO to FIFO
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Sales
	Adjusted total assets
	Ratio
	Adjusted total asset turnover²

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27).

2018 Calculations

¹ Total asset turnover = Sales ÷ Total assets
= hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

² Adjusted total asset turnover = Sales ÷ Adjusted total assets
= hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

Ratio	Description	The company
Adjusted total asset turnover	An activity ratio calculated as total revenue divided by adjusted total assets.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted total asset turnover improved from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Total assets
	Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
	Ratio
	Financial leverage¹
	Adjusted: from LIFO to FIFO
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Adjusted total assets
	Adjusted total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
	Ratio
	Adjusted financial leverage²

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27).

2018 Calculations

¹ Financial leverage = Total assets ÷ Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
= hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

² Adjusted financial leverage = Adjusted total assets ÷ Adjusted total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
= hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

Ratio	Description	The company
Adjusted financial leverage	A measure of financial leverage calculated as adjusted total assets divided by adjusted total equity. Financial leverage is the extent to which a company can effect, through the use of debt, a proportional change in the return on common equity that is greater than a given proportional change in operating income.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted financial leverage increased from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
	Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
	Ratio
	ROE¹
	Adjusted: from LIFO to FIFO
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Adjusted net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
	Adjusted total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
	Ratio
	Adjusted ROE²

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27).

2018 Calculations

¹ ROE = 100 × Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. ÷ Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
= 100 × hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

² Adjusted ROE = 100 × Adjusted net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. ÷ Adjusted total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
= 100 × hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

Ratio	Description	The company
Adjusted ROE	A profitability ratio calculated as adjusted net income divided by adjusted shareholders’ equity.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted ROE deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 but then improved from 2017 to 2018 exceeding 2016 level.

		Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
	As Reported
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
	Total assets
	Ratio
	ROA¹
	Adjusted: from LIFO to FIFO
	Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
	Adjusted net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
	Adjusted total assets
	Ratio
	Adjusted ROA²

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-26), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-27).

2018 Calculations

¹ ROA = 100 × Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. ÷ Total assets
= 100 × hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

² Adjusted ROA = 100 × Adjusted net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. ÷ Adjusted total assets
= 100 × hidden ÷ hidden = hidden

Ratio	Description	The company
Adjusted ROA	A profitability ratio calculated as adjusted net income divided by adjusted total assets.	Merck & Co. Inc.’s adjusted ROA deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 but then improved from 2017 to 2018 exceeding 2016 level.

	Merck & Co. Inc.	Other companies (not purchased previously)
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Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK)

Analysis of Inventory

Inventory Accounting Policy

Inventory Disclosure

Adjustment to Inventory: from LIFO to FIFO

Merck & Co. Inc., Financial Data: Reported vs. Adjusted

Adjusted Ratios: LIFO vs. FIFO (Summary)

Merck & Co. Inc., Ratios: Reported vs. Adjusted

Adjusted Current Ratio

Adjusted Net Profit Margin

Adjusted Total Asset Turnover

Adjusted Financial Leverage

Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE)

Adjusted Return on Assets (ROA)