WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck & Co., Inc. today announced third-quarter 2007 earnings per share of $0.75, excluding restructuring charges, and third-quarter reported EPS of $0.70. Worldwide sales were $6.1 billion for the quarter, an increase of 12 percent from the third quarter of 2006. Net income for the third quarter of 2007 was $1,525.5 million compared with $940.6 million in the third quarter of 2006. Net income and EPS for the third quarter of 2007 include the impact of an acquired research charge of $325 million or $0.15 per share related to the purchase of NovaCardia, Inc. and a net gain of approximately $100 million resulting from the settlement during the quarter of certain patent disputes. Net income and EPS for the third quarter of 2007 and 2006 also include the impact of reserving an additional $70 million and $598 million, respectively, solely for future VIOXX legal defense costs.
