The American Stock Exchange said theunits of Americus Trust for Merck Shares and an equal number of
prime and score components of the units, began trading today on
a "when issued" basis.
    The trust is a unit investment trust sponsored by Americus
Shareowner Service Corp and is issuing the units in exchange
for shares of Merck and Co &lt;MRK> stock tendered to the trust.
    The units opened on a bid and offer of 165 to 166, and the
prime components, trading under ticker symbol &lt;MKPWI>, opened
on 100 primes at 119-1/2, the Exchange said. Also, the score
components opened on 1,000 scores at 48, it said.
 Reuter
