Ct Automotive Regulatory News (CTA)

December 12, 2012

Caterpillar contact:

Jim Dugan

Global Government & Corporate Affairs

309-494-4100

dugan_jim@cat.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Caterpillar Maintains Quarterly Dividend Rate andAccelerates Payment to December 31, 2012

PEORIA, Ill. - The Board of Directors of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) voted today to maintain the quarterly cash dividend of fifty-two ($0.52) cents per share of common stock, payable December 31, 2012, to stockholders of record at the close of business, December 24, 2012.

"After reporting a record third quarter for sales and profit, I am pleased to announce we are maintaining Caterpillar's quarterly dividend. While we remain watchful and attentive to the current political and economic landscape, we continue to track toward our long-term goals and expectations outlined in our enterprise strategy," said Caterpillar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Oberhelman.

"In addition to maintaining the quarterly dividend, we're accelerating payment of the first-quarter 2013 dividend to December 31, 2012. Because of the uncertainty about U.S. tax policy, we're acting in the interest of our stockholders. We estimate this action could save our stockholders around $30 million," added Oberhelman.

Caterpillar has paid higher dividends to its stockholders for 19 consecutive years, and since 1998, the company's cash dividend has more than tripled. Including the announcement today, Caterpillar has paid a cash dividend every year since the company was formed in 1925 and has paid a quarterly dividend since 1933.

About Caterpillar:

For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. With 2011 sales and revenues of $60.138 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: http://www.caterpillar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release relate to future events and expectations and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe," "estimate," "will be," "will," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "project," "intend," "could," "should" or other similar words or expressions often identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our outlook, projections, forecasts or trend descriptions. These statements do not guarantee future performance, and we do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.

Caterpillar's actual results may differ materially from those described or implied in our forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) global economic conditions and economic conditions in the industries and markets we serve; (ii) government monetary or fiscal policies and infrastructure spending; (iii) commodity or component price increases and/or limited availability of raw materials and component products, including steel; (iv) our and our customers', dealers' and suppliers' ability to access and manage liquidity; (v) political and economic risks and instability, including national or international conflicts and civil unrest; (vi) our and Cat Financial's ability to: maintain credit ratings, avoid material increases in borrowing costs, and access capital markets; (vii) the financial condition and credit worthiness of Cat Financial's customers; (viii) inability to realize expected benefits from acquisitions and divestitures, including the acquisition of Bucyrus International, Inc.; (ix) international trade and investment policies; (x) challenges related to Tier 4 emissions compliance; (xi) market acceptance of our products and services; (xii) changes in the competitive environment, including market share, pricing and geographic and product mix of sales; (xiii) successful implementation of capacity expansion projects, cost reduction initiatives and efficiency or productivity initiatives, including the Caterpillar Production System; (xiv) sourcing practices of our dealers or original equipment manufacturers; (xv) compliance with environmental laws and regulations; (xvi) alleged or actual violations of trade or anti-corruption laws and regulations; (xvii) additional tax expense or exposure; (xviii) currency fluctuations; (xix) our or Cat Financial's compliance with financial covenants; (xx) increased pension plan funding obligations; (xxi) union disputes or other employee relations issues; (xxii) significant legal proceedings, claims, lawsuits or investigations; (xxiii) compliance requirements imposed if carbon emissions legislation and/or regulations are adopted; (xxiv) changes in accounting standards; (xxv) failure or breach of IT security; (xxvi) adverse effects of natural disasters; and (xxvii) other factors described in more detail under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2012 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This filing is available on our website at www.caterpillar.com/secfilings.