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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
14, 2006
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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
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Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR
230.425)
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o
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Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
230.425)
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o
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Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.14d-2(b))
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o
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Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.13e-4(c))
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Page
1
Item
8.01.
Other Events
The
following
statement was released by Caterpillar Inc. on June 14, 2006. 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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*
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * *
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June
14,
2006
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Caterpillar
Raises Dividend Rate 20 Percent
PEORIA,
Ill. - The
Board of Directors of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today voted to increase
the
quarterly cash dividend by five cents to thirty cents ($0.30) per share of
common stock, payable August 19, 2006, to stockholders of record at the close
of
business on July 20, 2006. The $0.30 dividend is an increase of 20 percent
over
the previous rate of $0.25 per share.
“Caterpillar
expects 2006 to be its third consecutive year of record results, and today’s
announcement reflects the Board of Directors’ confidence in Caterpillar’s
long-term outlook,” said Caterpillar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim
Owens. “Our 6 Sigma process focus is enabling us to leverage our strong
leadership position and grow our businesses while creating even greater
operating cash flow. We’re pleased to be able to reward our stockholders with
another significant increase. Our future is bright, and all Caterpillar
employees are focused on delivering even better results over the next few
years.”
Including
the
announcement today, Caterpillar’s cash dividend has tripled since 1996.
For
more than 80
years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive
and sustainable change on every continent. With 2005 sales and revenues of
$36.339 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction
and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas
turbines. More information is available at http://www.CAT.com/
Page
2
SAFE
HARBOR
Certain
statements
in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute
forward-looking statements involving known and unknown factors that may cause
actual results of Caterpillar Inc. to be different from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements. In this context, words such as
“expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “will,” or
other similar words and phrases often identify forward-looking statements made
on behalf of Caterpillar. It is important to note that actual results of the
company may differ materially from those described or implied in such forward
looking statements based on a number of factors and uncertainties, including,
but not limited to, changes in economic conditions, currency exchange rates
or
political stability; market acceptance of the company’s products and services;
significant changes in the competitive environment; changes in law, regulations
and tax rates; and other general economic, business and financing conditions
and
factors described in more detail in the company’s filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including the financial release filed on Form 8-K
with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3, 2006. We do not undertake
to
update our forward-looking statements.
Page
3
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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
14,
2006
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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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Page
4