Ct Automotive Regulatory News (CTA)

10 Apr 2008 16:45

Caterpillar Inc10 April 2008 April 9, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Caterpillar Inc. Maintains Dividend Rate PEORIA, IL - Citing significant demand in key markets and the strengthin its global business, the Board of Directors of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT)today declared a quarterly cash dividend of thirty-six cents ($0.36) per shareon its common stock, payable May 20, 2008, to stockholders of record at theclose of business April 21, 2008. "Global energy and mining markets as well as large infrastructureprojects in emerging economies are continuing to drive record results forCaterpillar," said Caterpillar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer JimOwens. "We are investing in expanded capacity to support our growthopportunities, repurchasing shares, paying higher dividends and maintaining oursound credit rating. Recent economic turbulence creates challenges, but ourglobal business diversity is serving us well." The $0.36 dividend maintains the dividend rate of the previous quarter and is 20percent higher than the dividend paid one year ago. Caterpillar has paid adividend every quarter since November 1933 (298 consecutive quarters) and haspaid higher dividends in each of the last 14 years. For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible anddriving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2007 sales andrevenues of $44.958 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer ofconstruction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrialgas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider throughCaterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services,Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information isavailable at http://www.cat.com. SAFE HARBORCertain statements in this release relate to future events and expectations andas such constitute forward-looking statements involving known and unknownfactors that may cause actual results of Caterpillar Inc. to be different fromthose expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In this context,words such as "will," "expect," "anticipate" orother similar words and phrases often identify forward-looking statements madeon behalf of Caterpillar. It is important to note that actual results of thecompany may differ materially from those described or implied in suchforward-looking statements based on a number of factors and uncertainties,including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions; currency exchangeor interest rates; political stability; market acceptance of the company'sproducts and services; significant changes in the competitive environment;epidemic diseases; changes in law, regulations and tax rates; and other generaleconomic, business and financing conditions and factors described in more detailin the company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission onFebruary 22, 2008. This filing is available on our website at www.cat.com/sec_filings. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange