PART
II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and
Related Shareholder Matters. MARKET PRICE FOR THE
COMMON STOCK Merit’s common stock (the “Common Stock”)
is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol “MMSI.” The following
table sets forth high and low sale prices for the Common Stock for the periods
indicated. 
OUTSTANDING
SHARES AND NUMBER OF SHAREHOLDERS As of March 2,
2006 number of shares of Common Stock outstanding was 27,207,221, held by approximately
200 shareholders of record, not including shareholders whose shares are held in
securities position listings. DIVIDENDS
The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on the Common Stock. The
Company presently intends to retain any future earnings for use in its business
and, therefore, does not anticipate paying any dividends on the Common Stock in
the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company’s revolving line of credit contains
covenants prohibiting the declaration and distribution of a cash dividend at any
time prior to the termination of such line of credit. | 
