Ct Automotive Regulatory News (CTA)

14 Jun 2006 16:45

Caterpillar Inc14 June 2006 June 14, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Caterpillar Raises Dividend Rate 20 Percent PEORIA, Ill. - The Board of Directors of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) todayvoted 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 ofrecord at the close of business on July 20, 2006. The $0.30 dividend is anincrease 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 inCaterpillar's long-term outlook," said Caterpillar Chairman and Chief ExecutiveOfficer Jim Owens. "Our 6 Sigma process focus is enabling us to leverage ourstrong leadership position and grow our businesses while creating even greateroperating cash flow. We're pleased to be able to reward our stockholders withanother significant increase. Our future is bright, and all Caterpillaremployees are focused on delivering even better results over the next fewyears." Including the announcement today, Caterpillar's cash dividend has tripled since1996. For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible anddriving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2005 sales andrevenues of $36.339 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer ofconstruction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrialgas turbines. More information is available at http:// www.CAT.com/ SAFE HARBOR Certain 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 "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks,""will," or other similar words and phrases often identify forward-lookingstatements made on behalf of Caterpillar. It is important to note that actualresults of the company may differ materially from those described or implied insuch forward looking statements based on a number of factors and uncertainties,including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions, currency exchangerates or political stability; market acceptance of the company's products andservices; significant changes in the competitive environment; changes in law,regulations and tax rates; and other general economic, business and financingconditions and factors described in more detail in the company's filings withthe Securities and Exchange Commission, including the financial release filed onForm 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3, 2006. We do notundertake to update our forward-looking statements. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange