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Equity | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract] |
Equity | Equity The Merck certificate of incorporation authorizes 6,500,000,000 shares of common stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Capital Stock A summary of common stock and treasury stock transactions (shares in millions) is as follows:
| 2017 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
| Common Stock |  | Treasury Stock |  | Common Stock |  | Treasury Stock |  | Common Stock |  | Treasury Stock
Balance January 1 | 3,577 |  |  | 828 |  |  | 3,577 |  |  | 796 |  |  | 3,577 |  |  | 739 |
Purchases of treasury stock | — |  |  | 67 |  |  | — |  |  | 60 |  |  | — |  |  | 75 |
Issuances (1) | — |  |  | (15 | ) |  | — |  |  | (28 | ) |  | — |  |  | (18 | )
Balance December 31 | 3,577 |  |  | 880 |  |  | 3,577 |  |  | 828 |  |  | 3,577 |  |  | 796 |
(1) | Issuances primarily reflect activity under share-based compensation plans.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2208762 + Details
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