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UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549 | ||||
 | ||||
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FORM
8-K | ||||
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Current
Report
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Pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Date of
Report (Date of earliest event reported): June
8, 2005 | ||||
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CATERPILLAR
INC.
(Exact name
of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or
other jurisdiction of incorporation)
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1-768
(Commission
File Number)
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37-0602744
(IRS Employer
Identification No.) | |||
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100
NE Adams Street, Peoria, Illinois
(Address of
principal executive offices)
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61629
(Zip
Code) | |||
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Registrant's
telephone number, including area code:
(309) 675-1000 | ||||
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Former name
or former address, if changed since last report: N/A | ||||
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Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions: | ||||
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o |
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425) | |||
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o |
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
230.425) | |||
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o |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b)) | |||
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o |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c)) | |||
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Item 8.01.
Other Events
The following
statement was released by Caterpillar Inc. on June 8, 2005. The furnishing of
these materials is not intended to constitute a representation that such
furnishing is required by Regulation FD or that the materials include material
investor information that is not otherwise publicly available. In addition, the
Registrant does not assume any obligation to update such information in the
future.
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June 8,
2005
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Caterpillar
Splits Stock; Increases Dividend Rate
Increase marks
largest in company history
PEORIA, Ill. - In
support of its long-term commitment to maximizing stockholder value and return,
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced a two-for-one stock split and
increased the quarterly dividend rate 22 percent from 41 cents to 50 cents per
share pre-split. On a split-adjusted basis, the 4.5 cents per share increase is
the largest in the company's 80 year history.
The stock split
shares will be distributed on July 13 to stockholders of record at the close of
business on June 22, 2005. The company's previously announced share repurchase
program goal to reduce outstanding shares to 320,000,000 will be adjusted for
the split to reflect an adjusted goal of 640,000,000 shares outstanding by
October 2008.
The new quarterly
dividend rate of 25 cents per share of common stock is payable August 19, 2005,
to stockholders of record at the close of business July 22, 2005. The dividend
increase is the third in the past two years and the twelfth since 1993.
Including today’s announcements, on a split-adjusted basis, Caterpillar has
increased its cash dividend more than thirteen-fold since 1993.
“Caterpillar
continues to deliver remarkable results, and today’s announcement reflects the
Board of Directors’ confidence that we haven’t yet reached our full potential,”
said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Owens. “We’re aggressively
pursuing continuous improvement as we leverage our leadership position, strong
cash flow and growth strategies around the world to enhance the value customers
and stockholders realize from an investment in Caterpillar.”
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For 80 years,
Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world’s infrastructure and, in
partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and
sustainable change on every continent. With 2004 sales and revenues of $30.25
billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world’s leading manufacturer
of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and
industrial gas turbines. More information is available at
www.cat.com.
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Pursuant to
the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized. | ||
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CATERPILLAR
INC. | ||
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June 8,
2005 |
By:
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/s/James
B. Buda |
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James B.
Buda | ||
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Vice
President | ||
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