<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
<PAGE>
Letter to Stockholders
Baxter International Inc. 847.948.2000
One Baxter Parkway
Deerfield, Illinois 60015
[BAXTER LOGO]
March 19, 1999
To our Stockholders:
The Board of Directors joins us in inviting you to attend the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting will be held at the Drury Lane
Theatre in Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois, on Tuesday, May 4, 1999. The
meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. Central Time. Registration will begin at
9:00 a.m. and refreshments will be provided.
This year marks a change at the chief executive officer level--an event
that has occurred only three times before in Baxter's 68-year history. We
look forward to discussing our plans for Baxter's future and reporting on
the progress we made during 1998, a year in which our stock had a total
return, including reinvested dividends, of 30 percent. In addition, we
encourage you to read the enclosed 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders,
which will give you insight into our plans for 1999 and beyond.
We hope you will be able to attend the meeting and look forward to seeing
you there.
Sincerely,
/s/ Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr. /s/ Vernon R. Loucks Jr.
Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr. Vernon R. Loucks Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer Chairman of the Board of Directors
[LOGO] Printed on Recycled Paper
<PAGE>
Letter to Stockholders
[LETTER TO STOCKHOLDERS]
<PAGE>
Notice of Annual Meeting
Baxter International Inc.
One Baxter Parkway
Deerfield, Illinois 60015
[BAXTER LOGO]
March 19, 1999
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Baxter International Inc. will
be held at the Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oak Brook Terrace,
Illinois, on Tuesday, May 4, 1999 at 10:30 a.m. Central Time, for the
following purposes:
1. To elect three directors to hold office for three years;
2. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent
accountants for Baxter in 1999;
3. To act on the stockholder proposal relating to cumulative voting in the
election of directors; and
4. To transact any other business which is properly presented at the
meeting.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 1999 will be
entitled to vote at the meeting. A list of these stockholders will be made
available at The First National Bank of Chicago, 2122 West 22nd Street,
Oak Brook, Illinois, for the 10-day period prior to the meeting.
Even if you plan to attend in person, please read these proxy materials
and cast your vote on the matters that will be presented at the meeting.
This year, our registered stockholders have the option of voting their
shares through the Internet, by dialing a toll-free telephone number (from
the United States or Canada) or by mailing the enclosed proxy card.
Instructions for using these convenient services are described under the
question "How do I Vote?" on page 2 of the enclosed proxy statement.
Finally, if you receive more than one of these mailings at the same
address, or if you wish to receive future mailings electronically, please
follow the instructions on page 24 of the proxy statement under the
heading "Reducing Mailing Expenses."
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Jan Stern Reed
Jan Stern Reed
Corporate Secretary
<PAGE>
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[BAXTER LOGO]
Baxter International Inc., One Baxter Parkway, Deerfield, Illinois 60015,
847.948.2000
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This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are being mailed,
beginning on or about March 19, 1999, to owners of shares of Baxter common
stock in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors
for the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Table of Contents
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Questions and Answers about Voting......................................... 2
Management Proposals:
Election of Directors--Proposal 1 on the Proxy Card...................... 4
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Accountants--Proposal 2 on the
Proxy Card.............................................................. 4
Board of Directors:
Director Biographies..................................................... 5
Corporate Governance..................................................... 7
Committees of the Board.................................................. 8
Compensation of Directors................................................ 9
Compensation Committee Report.............................................. 10
Executive Compensation:
Summary.................................................................. 14
Stock Option Grants...................................................... 15
Stock Option Exercises................................................... 16
Long-Term Incentive Plan................................................. 17
Pension Plan, Excess Plans and Supplemental Plans........................ 17
Ownership of Baxter Stock:
Stock Ownership of Directors and Officers................................ 19
Largest Stockholders..................................................... 20
Baxter's Financial Performance............................................. 21
Minority Stockholder Proposal:
Cumulative Voting in the Election of Directors--Proposal 3 on the Proxy
Card.................................................................... 22
Board of Directors' Statement Opposing Stockholders Resolution........... 23
Other Information:
Attending the Annual Meeting............................................. 24
Reducing Mailing Expenses................................................ 24
Cost of Proxy Solicitation............................................... 24
Future Stockholder Proposals and Nominations............................. 25
Directions to the Annual Meeting......................................... 26
</TABLE>
1
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Questions and Answers about Voting
Your shares can only be voted at the Annual Meeting if you vote by proxy or
if you are present and vote in person. Even if you expect to attend the Annual
Meeting, we encourage you to vote by proxy to assure that your shares will be
represented. If you do wish to attend the Annual Meeting, please follow the
instructions on page 24 under the heading "Attending the Annual Meeting."
Q: Who is entitled to vote?
A: All common stockholders of Baxter as of the close of business on March 5,
1999 are entitled to vote. On that day, approximately 287,041,108 shares
were issued and outstanding and eligible to vote. Each share is entitled
to one vote on each matter presented at the Annual Meeting.
Q: How do I vote?
A: This year, we offer our registered stockholders three ways to vote, other
than by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person:
. By mail, using the enclosed proxy card and postage-paid return
envelope;
. By telephone, using the toll-free number printed on your proxy card
and following the instructions on the proxy card; or
. Through the Internet, using the secure password printed on your proxy
card and following the instructions on the proxy card.
Q: What does it mean to vote by proxy?
A: It means that you give someone else the right to vote your shares in ac-
cordance with your instructions. In this case, we are asking you to give
your proxy to our Chief Executive Officer and our General Counsel (the
"Proxyholders"). In this way, you assure that your vote will be counted
even if you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting. If you give your
proxy but do not include specific instructions on how to vote, the
Proxyholders will vote your shares for the election of the board's nomi-
nees, for the ratification of the appointment of the independent accoun-
tants and against the minority stockholder proposal.
Q: On what am I voting?
A: There are three items on the agenda: election of three directors and rati-
fication of the appointment of the independent accountants, both of which
are supported by management, and the minority stockholder proposal, which
is opposed by management.
Q: What happens if other matters are raised at the meeting?
A: Although we are not aware of any matters to be presented at the Annual
Meeting other than those contained in the Notice of Annual Meeting, if
other matters are properly raised at the meeting in accordance with the
procedures specified in Baxter's bylaws, any proxies given will be voted
by the Proxyholders in accordance with their best judgment unless you have
indicated otherwise.
Q: Is my vote confidential?
A: Whether voting in person, by mail, by telephone or through the Internet,
you will be given the opportunity to request that your vote be treated as
confidential. If you request confidential treatment, only the inspectors
of election and the proxy tabulator will have access to your vote.
Q: What if I submit a proxy and later change my mind?
A: If you have given your proxy and later wish to revoke it, you may do so by
either: giving written notice to the Corporate Secretary, submitting an-
other proxy bearing a later date (in any of the permitted forms),
2
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Questions and Answers about Voting
or casting a ballot in person at the Annual Meeting.
Q: Who will count the votes?
A: Baxter's transfer agent, First Chicago Trust Company of New York, a divi-
sion of Equiserve, will serve as proxy tabulator and tally the votes, and
the results will be certified by the inspectors of election.
Q: How is it determined whether a matter has been approved?
A: Assuming a quorum is present, the approval of the matters specified in the
Notice of Annual Meeting will be determined as follows. The three people
receiving the largest number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be
elected as directors. For each other matter, the affirmative vote of a ma-
jority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote
is required for approval.
Q: What constitutes a quorum?
A: A quorum is present if a majority of the outstanding shares of common
stock entitled to vote is represented. Broker non-votes, abstentions and
directions to withhold authority will be counted for purposes of determin-
ing whether a quorum is present.
Q: What effect does an abstention have?
A: Abstentions or directions to withhold authority will have no effect on the
outcome of the election of directors. Abstentions will have the same ef-
fect as a vote against any of the other matters specified in the Notice of
Annual Meeting.
Q: What are broker non-votes?
A: Broker non-votes occur when nominees, such as banks and brokers holding
shares on behalf of beneficial owners, do not receive voting instructions
from the beneficial holders at least ten days before the meeting. If that
happens, the nominees may vote those shares only on matters deemed "rou-
tine" by the New York Stock Exchange, such as the election of directors
and ratification of the appointment of independent accountants. On non-
routine matters, such as the minority stockholder proposal, nominees can-
not vote, resulting in a so-called "broker non-vote." Broker non-votes
have no effect on the outcome of any of the matters specified in the No-
tice of Annual Meeting.
Q: What shares are covered by the proxy card?
A: The proxy card covers all shares held by you of record (i.e., registered
in your name), including those held in Baxter's Dividend Reinvestment
Plan, executive compensation plans, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and
shares credited to your Incentive Investment Plan account held in custody
by the plan trustee, State Street Bank.
Q: What if I am a beneficial holder rather than an owner of record?
A: If you hold your shares through a broker, bank, or other nominee, you will
receive separate instructions from the nominee describing how to vote your
shares.
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Management Proposals
Election of Directors--Proposal 1 on the Proxy Card
Baxter's certificate of incorporation divides its Board of Directors into
three classes. Each year, the directors in one of these three classes are
elected to serve a three-year term. At the Annual Meeting, three directors are
proposed for election for a three-year term expiring in 2002. The Board has
nominated the following persons for election, each of whom is currently a
director of Baxter:
Martha R. Ingram
Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr.
Fred L. Turner
Information regarding each of the nominees follows this page. If any nominee
for director becomes unavailable for election, the number of directors will be
reduced. No nominations for director were received from stockholders, and no
other candidates are eligible for election as directors at the Annual Meeting.
The Proxyholders intend to vote the shares represented by proxy in favor of
all of the Board's nominees, except to the extent a stockholder withholds
authority to vote for the nominees.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of all of the
nominees for director.
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Accountants--Proposal 2 on the
Proxy Card
The Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation of the Audit Committee,
has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants for Baxter
in 1999. The Board of Directors requests that the stockholders ratify the
appointment. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Board of
Directors will consider the selection of another public accounting firm for
1999 and future years.
One or more representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will attend the
Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so
desire, and they will be available to answer questions.
Fees for services performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during 1998
relating to the audit of the consolidated annual financial statements,
including statutory audits of foreign subsidiaries, aggregated approximately
$2.7 million. Fees for other audit related services in 1998 aggregated
approximately $1.0 million and fees for other consulting services in 1998
aggregated approximately $4.5 million.
The Proxyholders intend to vote the shares represented by proxy in favor of
the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
independent accountants, except to the extent a stockholder votes against or
abstains from voting on this proposal.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the
appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants for
Baxter in 1999.
4
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
Director Biographies
Nominees for Election as Directors (Term Expires 2002)
[PHOTO] Martha R. Ingram, age 63, has been a director of Baxter since
1987. Since 1995, Ms. Ingram has been the chairman of the
board of Ingram Industries Inc., an inland waterway
transportation company, a distributor of trade books and an
automobile insurance company. She was first elected a director
of Ingram Industries Inc. in 1981 and became its chief
executive officer in 1996. Ms. Ingram also serves as a
director of Ingram Micro, First American Corporation and
Weyerhaeuser Company.
[PHOTO] Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr., age 44, has been a director of
Baxter since 1995. Mr. Kraemer has been president of Baxter
since 1997 and Chief Executive Officer since January 1, 1999.
From 1993 to 1997, he served as senior vice president and
chief financial officer of Baxter. Mr. Kraemer also serves as
a director of Comdisco Inc. and Science Applications
International Corporation.
[PHOTO] Fred L. Turner, age 66, has been a director of Baxter since
1982. Mr. Turner is senior chairman of the board of directors
of McDonald's Corporation, a restaurant licensor. Mr. Turner
previously was chairman of the board and chief executive
officer of McDonald's Corporation. He joined McDonald's in
1956. Mr. Turner also serves as a member of Ronald McDonald
House Charities, and as a director of Aon Corporation and W.
W. Grainger, Inc.
Directors Continuing in Office (Term Expires 2000)
[PHOTO] Walter E. Boomer, age 60, has been a director of Baxter since
1997. Since March 1997, General Boomer has served as president
and chief executive officer of Rogers Corporation, a
manufacturer of specialty materials for use in the
communication, transportation, imaging and computer markets.
From 1994 through 1996, he served as executive vice president
of McDermott International Inc. and president of the Babcock &
Wilcox Power Generation Group. In 1994, General Boomer retired
as a general and assistant commandant of the United States
Marine Corps after 34 years of service. General Boomer also
serves as a director of Taylor Energy Company.
5
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
[PHOTO] John W. Colloton, age 68, has been a director of Baxter since
1989. From 1971 to 1993, Mr. Colloton served as the director
of the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, and since 1993
he has been vice president of the University of Iowa for
Statewide Health Services. Mr. Colloton also serves as a
director of MidAmerican Energy Company, Inc., Wellmark Inc.
(Iowa & South Dakota Blue Cross & Blue Shield), American
Physician Partners, Inc., Iowa State Bank & Trust Company and
the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.
[PHOTO] Susan Crown, age 40, has been a director of Baxter since 1993.
Since 1984, Ms. Crown has been a vice president of Henry Crown
and Company, which holds diversified manufacturing operations,
real estate and securities. Ms. Crown also serves as a
director of Illinois Tool Works, Inc. and The Northern Trust
Corporation.
[PHOTO] Vernon R. Loucks Jr., age 64, has been a director of Baxter
since 1975. Mr. Loucks has been chairman of the Board of
Directors since 1987 and previously served as Baxter's chief
executive officer from 1980 through 1998. Mr. Loucks was first
elected an officer of Baxter in 1971. Mr. Loucks also serves
as a director of Affymetrix, Inc., Anheuser-Busch Companies,
Inc., The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, Emerson Electric Co.
and The Quaker Oats Company.
[PHOTO] Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr., age 62, has been a director of
Baxter since 1992. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. St. Laurent served
as chairman of Western Bank, a division of Washington Mutual,
a financial institution. From 1988 to 1996, he served as
chairman and chief executive officer of Western Bank. Mr. St.
Laurent also serves as a director of Aames Financial
Corporation and Perkin Elmer Corporation.
Directors Continuing in Office (Term Expires 2001)
[PHOTO] Pei-yuan Chia, age 60, has served as a director of Baxter
since 1996. Mr. Chia was vice chairman of Citicorp and
Citibank, N.A., its principal subsidiary, from 1994 to 1996
when he retired. From 1993 to 1996, he served as a director of
Citicorp and Citibank, N.A., and assumed responsibility for
their global consumer business in 1992. Between 1974 and 1992,
Mr. Chia held various senior management positions in Citicorp
and Citibank, N.A. and was Citibank, N.A.'s senior customer
contact for corporate banking activities in Asia. Mr. Chia
also serves as a director of American International Group,
Inc. and Case Corporation
6
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
[PHOTO] Mary Johnston Evans, age 69, has served as a director of
Baxter since 1986. Mrs. Evans is a director of Household
International, Inc., Sun Company, Inc., Delta Air Lines, Inc.,
The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and Scudder New Europe Fund.
[PHOTO] Frank R. Frame, age 69, has served as a director of Baxter
since 1992. Between 1976 and 1990, Mr. Frame held various
senior management positions in The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited, a financial institution from
which he retired in 1990, including group legal adviser,
executive director, and deputy chairman. From 1991 to 1998 he
was an adviser to the board of directors of HSBC Holdings plc,
a financial institution. Mr. Frame is currently chairman of
the board of Wallem Group Limited, deputy chairman of the
board of Time Products plc, and a director of Edinburgh Dragon
Trust plc and The British Investment Trust plc.
[PHOTO] Arnold J. Levine, Ph.D., age 59, has served as a director of
Baxter since 1994. In December 1998, Dr. Levine became the
president of Rockefeller University. He was a professor of
biology and the chairman of the molecular biology department
at Princeton University from 1984 to 1998. Since 1982, Dr.
Levine has been the chairman of Baxter's scientific advisory
board. Dr. Levine serves as a director of Perkin Elmer
Corporation.
[PHOTO] Monroe E. Trout, M.D., age 67, has served as a director of
Baxter since 1995. Dr. Trout was chairman of the board,
president and chief executive officer of American Healthcare
Systems, a network of integrated health care systems, from
1987 until he retired in 1994. He was elected president and
chief executive officer of American Healthcare Systems in
1986. Dr. Trout also serves as chairman of the board of Cytyc
Corporation and as a director of Science Applications
International Corporation and The West Company, Inc.
Corporate Governance
The Board of Directors recognizes the importance of good corporate
governance as a means of addressing the needs of Baxter's stockholders,
employees, customers and community. Baxter first adopted formal corporate
governance principles in 1995. In 1998, the Board of Directors adopted new
Corporate Governance Guidelines which serve as flexible principles addressing
the role of the Board of Directors in the areas of executive compensation,
fiduciary oversight, strategic and succession planning, social responsibility
and board elections. The Corporate Governance Guidelines also set standards
relating to the composition and operation of the Board of Directors and its
committees, including standards relating to the selection, qualification and
evaluation of directors. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available
upon request from Baxter's Corporate Secretary.
7
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, under which Baxter is
organized, the business, property and affairs of Baxter are managed under the
direction of the Board of Directors. Members of the Board are kept informed of
Baxter's business through discussions with the Chairman and officers, by
reviewing materials prepared for them by management and by participating in
meetings of the Board and its committees. During 1998, the Board held nine
meetings and the committees held a total of 23 meetings. The aggregate
attendance of all current directors at the total number of Board and committee
meetings was over 95 percent.
Committees of the Board
The Board of Directors has six committees. Each committee consists solely of
directors who are not Baxter employees, except the Executive Committee as
noted below. Baxter's bylaws contain a complete description of the duties of
each committee.
The Executive Committee consists of three directors, a majority of whom are
not Baxter employees. The committee may exercise most of the powers of the
Board, except those reserved to the Board by Baxter's bylaws or Delaware law.
The Executive Committee did not meet in 1998. The current members of the
Executive Committee are Vernon R. Loucks Jr. (chairman), Susan Crown and Fred
L. Turner.
The Audit Committee consists of five directors. The committee assists the
Board in fulfilling its responsibility for Baxter's accounting and financial
reporting practices and provides a channel of communication between the Board
and Baxter's independent accountants. The committee also reviews with the
independent accountants the scope of the accountants' annual and interim
examinations and examines the effectiveness of Baxter's accounting and
internal control functions through discussions with the independent
accountants and appropriate officers of Baxter. The Audit Committee met four
times in 1998. The current members of the Audit Committee are Monroe E. Trout,
M.D. (chairman), John W. Colloton, Frank R. Frame, Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr.
and Fred L. Turner.
The Compensation Committee consists of four directors. The committee
determines compensation for officers and makes recommendations to the Board
concerning compensation for the Chairman of the Board, and the President and
Chief Executive Officer. It also exercises the authority of the Board relating
to Baxter's employee benefit plans. The Compensation Committee met three times
in 1998. The current members of the Compensation Committee are Georges C. St.
Laurent, Jr. (chairman), Mary Johnston Evans, Frank R. Frame and Martha R.
Ingram.
The Finance Committee consists of four directors. Within limits established
in Baxter's bylaws, the committee exercises the authority of the Board in
connection with financial transactions and assists and advises the Board
regarding Baxter's financial affairs. The Finance Committee met seven times in
1998. The current members of the Finance Committee are John W. Colloton
(chairman), Pei-yuan Chia, Susan Crown and Arnold J. Levine, Ph.D.
The Planning and Organization Committee consists of five directors. The
committee assists and advises the Board in connection with Board membership,
Board committee structure and membership, general organization and planning
matters and corporate governance issues. The committee also considers director
candidates. Pursuant to principles set forth in the Corporate Goverance
Guidelines, the committee seeks candidates with high integrity, good judgment
and breadth of experience, among other criteria. The Planning and Organization
Committee met five times in 1998. The current members
8
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
of the Planning and Organization Committee are Mary Johnston Evans (chairman),
Walter E. Boomer, Susan Crown, Monroe E. Trout, M.D. and Fred L. Turner.
The Public Policy Committee consists of four directors. The committee
reviews the policies and practices of Baxter to ensure that they are
consistent with its social responsibility to employees, customers and society.
The Public Policy Committee met four times in 1998. The current members of the
Public Policy Committee are Martha R. Ingram (chairman), Walter E. Boomer,
Pei-yuan Chia and Arnold J. Levine, Ph.D.
Compensation of Directors
Under the restricted stock plan for non-employee directors (the "Director
Stock Plan"), each non-employee director receives a grant of 1,000 restricted
shares of Baxter common stock as a retainer upon election or re-election to a
three-year term. These restricted shares vest at the expiration of the
director's term of office. In addition, each non-employee director receives
3,000 restricted shares of Baxter common stock as compensation upon election
or re-election to a three-year term. These restricted shares vest in 1,000-
share installments on the dates of the three annual meetings of stockholders
following the date of election.
Each non-employee director receives a $1,000 fee for each Board and each
committee meeting attended. Members of committees receive an annual retainer
of $3,000, and chairmen of committees receive an additional annual retainer of
$4,000, except that members of the Executive Committee do not receive a
retainer for their Executive Committee membership. Employee directors are not
compensated separately for their Board or committee activities.
Each non-employee director who retires at age 65 or older, with at least
five years of Board service, receives upon retirement 1,000 restricted shares
of Baxter common stock for each of his or her full years of service as a non-
employee director, pursuant to the Director Stock Plan. These restricted
shares vest six months after the grant date. Each non-employee director is
eligible for medical benefits and life insurance benefits. Medical benefit
payments in 1998 totaled $1,487 for all non-employee directors. No non-
employee director life insurance benefits were paid in 1998.
Restricted stock awarded under the Director Stock Plan vests as described
above, unless specified corporate control changes occur, at which point all
restrictions on the shares terminate. Until vested, the restricted stock may
not be transferred or sold by the director. During the restriction period, the
director has all of the other rights of a stockholder, including the right to
receive dividends and vote the shares.
In addition to the non-employee director compensation and benefits described
above, Arnold J. Levine, Ph.D., receives an annual consulting fee for his
services as chairman of Baxter's scientific advisory board. The members of
Baxter's scientific advisory board also receive, from time to time, stock
options which give them the opportunity to purchase Baxter common stock for up
to ten years at the closing price of the common stock on the date of grant.
9
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee"),
comprised of four non-employee directors, establishes and monitors the total
compensation program for the senior executives of Baxter and its subsidiaries.
Compensation Philosophy for Executive Officers
The Committee's philosophy is to provide compensation opportunities which
are structured to be competitive when compared to manufacturing companies of
similar size, including health care and non-health care companies. This phi-
losophy is intended to assist Baxter in attracting, retaining and motivating
executives with superior leadership and management abilities. Consistent with
this philosophy, the Committee reviews compensation data from surveys whose
participants include the large companies in the Standard & Poor's Medical
Products and Supplies Index and other large non-health care companies with
which Baxter and its subsidiaries compete for executive talent ("comparable
companies"). Based on the survey data, the Committee determines a total com-
pensation structure for each officer, including Mr. Loucks, who served as
Baxter's chief executive officer in 1998, consisting primarily of salary, cash
bonus, restricted stock, and stock options. The proportions of these elements
of compensation vary among the officers depending upon their levels of respon-
sibility. The senior executive officers ordinarily receive a large portion of
their total compensation through performance-based incentive plans, which
place a greater percentage of their compensation at risk while more closely
aligning their interests with the interests of Baxter's stockholders.
The Committee's philosophy with respect to the $1 million cap on the tax-de-
ductibility of executive compensation is to maximize the benefit of tax laws
for Baxter's stockholders by seeking performance-based exemptions and the re-
lated stockholder approval where consistent with Baxter's compensation poli-
cies and practices.
Compensation Elements
Salaries
The Committee establishes salaries each year at a level intended to be com-
petitive with the 50th percentile of salaries paid to executive officers in
comparable companies. In addition, officer salaries are based on the officer's
individual performance and experience in the position. For this reason, actual
salaries for some executive officers are below the 50th percentile due to
Baxter's practice of adjusting salaries over time rather than immediately when
there are promotions into executive officer positions.
Cash Bonuses
Bonuses are intended to provide executive officers with an opportunity to
receive additional cash compensation (which, when combined with salary, is in-
tended to provide total cash compensation up to the 60th percentile of total
cash compensation paid to executives in comparable companies), but only if it
is earned through achievement of specified performance goals. Each year, the
Committee establishes a bonus range for each executive officer by utilizing
the market data of comparable companies. The Committee also establishes per-
formance goals and incorporates them in the officer cash bonus plan. After
year-end results are reported, the Committee determines each officer's bonus
based on the achievement of the specified performance goals and the officer's
individual performance. Baxter achieved its net income growth and operational
cash flow goals for 1998. Actual bonuses for 1998 ranged from 60 percent to
120 percent of the executive officers' bonus targets.
10
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee Report
Long-Term Incentives
Since 1989, Baxter has maintained a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Incentive
Plan") in which all executive officers and other selected executives partici-
pate. The Incentive Plan has always been maintained under one of Baxter's
stockholder-approved compensation programs. In November 1997, the Committee
adopted an amended and restated version of the Incentive Plan, which was ap-
proved by Baxter's stockholders at the 1998 Annual Meeting.
The Incentive Plan incorporates a combination of performance-based re-
stricted stock and stock options. The combined grant value of the restricted
stock and stock options is intended to be competitive with the 67th percentile
of the long-term incentive opportunities provided to the participants' coun-
terparts in comparable companies. The mix of restricted stock and stock op-
tions also is designed to be competitive with comparable companies. Each plan
participant's total long-term incentive opportunity represents a mix of ap-
proximately 35 percent performance-based restricted stock and 65 percent stock
options. The restricted stock and stock options provided through the Incentive
Plan are explained below.
Restricted Stock
Each participant in the Incentive Plan has a target number of restricted
shares that can be earned annually if Baxter achieves the sales growth and op-
erational cash flow goals established by the Committee and incorporated in the
plan. The number of shares earned is then adjusted up or down based on
Baxter's total rate of return to stockholders for the year compared to the to-
tal rate of return achieved by the Standard & Poor's Medical Products and Sup-
plies Index for the same year. The shares ordinarily vest one year after they
are earned, if the participant remains employed by Baxter or one of its
subsidiaries.
Based on (i) Baxter's 1998 sales growth and its operational cash flow gener-
ated over the three-year period ending December 31, 1998, and (ii) Baxter's
1998 total rate of return to stockholders compared to the 1998 total rate of
return achieved by the Standard & Poor's Medical Products and Supplies Index,
150 percent of restricted share targets were earned under the Incentive Plan
in 1998. The vesting and payout of the 1998 earned shares will occur on Decem-
ber 31, 1999.
Stock Options
Stock options are granted annually to executive officers and the other par-
ticipants in the Incentive Plan. The number of stock options granted to each
executive officer and other participants in the Incentive Plan is determined
in combination with the participant's annual target award of restricted stock
based on market compensation data, as explained above under "--Long-Term In-
centives." Stock options represent an additional vehicle for aligning manage-
ment's and stockholders' interests, specifically motivating executives to re-
main focused on the long-term value of Baxter common stock in addition to the
specified performance goals in the cash bonus plan and Incentive Plan.
1998 Supplemental Incentive Plan
Because of the sales growth challenges Baxter faced in 1998 and because In-
centive Plan participants were not eligible to earn restricted stock for 1997,
the Committee approved a one-time 1998 supplemental incentive for all Incen-
tive Plan participants. One part of the 1998 supplemental incentive gave each
Incentive Plan participant a 1998 cash bonus range in addition to his or her
bonus opportunity in the regular annual cash bonus plan. The second part of
the 1998 supplemental incentive gave each incentive plan participant a stock
option grant range in addition to his or her annual stock option grant in the
Incentive Plan.
11
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee Report
The amount of the supplemental cash bonus and supplemental stock option
earned was determined by the 1998 sales growth and operational cash flow goals
established by the Committee. Based on Baxter's 1998 sales growth and opera-
tional cash flow, each Incentive Plan participant earned a supplemental cash
bonus and a supplemental stock option. The earned supplemental stock options
were granted in February 1999 at an exercise price equal to the closing price
of Baxter's common stock on the date of the grant.
Mr. Loucks' 1998 Compensation
In 1998, Mr. Loucks participated in the same compensation plans provided to
other executive officers. The Committee's general approach to setting Mr.
Loucks' compensation was to be competitive with comparable companies and to
have a majority of his compensation dependent on achievement of both Baxter
performance goals established by the Committee and the performance of Baxter
common stock. All compensation actions relating to Mr. Loucks were subject to
the approval of the Board. The actions described in this report have been ap-
proved.
In 1998, Mr. Loucks received a 10 percent salary increase. Mr. Loucks' sal-
ary for 1998, which was $900,000, was established based on the Committee's de-
sire to target the 50th percentile of salaries paid to Mr. Loucks' counter-
parts in comparable companies.
The Committee also determined that Mr. Loucks earned a bonus of $845,000 for
1998 based on Baxter's achievement of its net income growth and operational
cash flow goals for 1998. Baxter's success in 1998 reflects Mr. Loucks' con-
tinued commitment to Baxter's strategy of global expansion and technological
innovation.
Mr. Loucks, like other participants in the Incentive Plan, earned 150 per-
cent of his annual target award of restricted stock in 1998, based on Baxter's
strong sales growth, operational cash flow and common stock performance for
1998.
As a participant in the Incentive Plan, Mr. Loucks also received a 1998 sup-
plemental cash bonus of $615,600, which is included in the total bonus shown
for him in the Summary Compensation Table which appears on page 14. He also
earned a supplemental stock option for 82,080 shares, which was granted to him
in February 1999, on the same terms and conditions applicable to all other In-
centive Plan participants who earned a supplemental stock option.
Mr. Loucks also received a stock option for 950,000 shares of Baxter common
stock in February 1998. This special stock option was granted for the specific
purposes of motivating Mr. Loucks to implement a smooth transition of his re-
sponsibilities as Baxter's Chief Executive Officer to Mr. Kraemer, who assumed
the position of CEO as of January 1, 1999, and to recognize Mr. Loucks' past,
current and future contributions to Baxter. The option terms and conditions
are described in footnote 5 to the Option Grants Table which appears on page
15.
Two noteworthy provisions of this special option grant are the exercise
price and the term. Of the total 950,000 share stock option, 500,000 options
were granted at the closing price of Baxter common stock on the date of grant.
The remaining 450,000 options were granted at three different premium exercise
prices ranging from 30 percent to 50 percent above the closing price on the
date of the grant. In addition, the entire 950,000 share stock option expires
in 7 years. This combination of premium pricing and a relatively short term
further aligns Mr. Loucks' interests with the interests of all Baxter
stockholders.
12
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee Report
Relationship of Executive Compensation to Company Performance
The Committee believes that management should be motivated and compensated
based on Baxter's financial and common stock performance. For this reason, the
Committee has emphasized the goals of sales growth, net income growth, opera-
tional cash flow and common stock performance when determining compensation
for all executive officers, as explained above. The Committee believes that
strong financial performance, as expressed by sales growth, net income growth,
operational cash flow and common stock performance, were the appropriate focus
for 1998. These goals are also incorporated in Baxter's 1999 incentive plans
for executive officers and other executives. Baxter's common stock returns im-
proved in 1998 despite the continuing pressure on health-care costs. Total
stockholder return, measured as the stock price plus dividend, rose 30 percent
during 1998. Over the last five years, total stockholder return has increased
at a compound annual growth rate of 28 percent--significantly higher than the
Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index.
Georges C. St. Laurent, Jr. (Chairman)
Mary Johnston Evans Frank R. Frame Martha R. Ingram
13
<PAGE>
Executive Compensation
Summary
The following table shows, for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, and
1996, the compensation provided by Baxter and its subsidiaries to the Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and the four next most highly
compensated executive officers in all capacities in which they served. The
five individuals identified in the Summary Compensation Table are referred to
as the "named executive officers" throughout this proxy statement.
Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term Compensation
---------------------------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
------------------------- --------------------- ---------
All
Restricted Securities Other
Stock Underlying LTIP Compen-
Salary Bonus Other Award(s) Options Payouts sation
Name and Principal Position Year ($)(1) ($)(1) ($)(2) ($)(3) (#) ($)(4) ($)(5)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Vernon R. Loucks Jr. 1998 900,000 1,460,600 264,403 -0- 950,000 -0- 60,243
Chairman of the Board
and 1997 819,000 950,000 404,554 -0- 107,000 6,196,398 52,788
Chief Executive Officer
(6) 1996 751,000 800,000 325,592 -0- 396,600 1,774,234 50,016
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry M. Jansen Kraemer,
Jr. 1998 560,770 743,000 60,246 -0- 85,000 -0- 35,078
President and 1997 476,808 600,000 50,094 -0- 42,400 1,184,323 24,097
Chief Executive Officer
(6) 1996 352,231 320,000 7,685 -0- 133,300 340,956 17,891
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack L. McGinley 1998 360,000 466,750 690 -0- 36,000 -0- 19,538
Group Vice President 1997 345,000 275,000 374 -0- 25,000 565,959 17,397
Baxter Healthcare
Corporation 1996 311,538 220,000 -0- -0- 107,700 340,956 14,824
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donald W. Joseph 1998 360,000 401,750 9,917 -0- 25,000 -0- 19,866
Group Vice President 1997 345,000 275,000 10,739 -0- 25,000 566,817 17,407
Baxter World Trade
Corporation 1996 306,000 210,000 11,920 -0- 107,900 340,956 15,108
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael A. Mussallem 1998 360,000 401,750 22,970 -0- 36,000 -0- 17,284
Group Vice President 1997 345,000 245,000 10,671 -0- 25,000 566,514 17,500
Baxter Healthcare
Corporation 1996 301,539 230,000 13,148 -0- 106,500 340,956 14,494
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Amounts shown include cash compensation earned by the named executive
officers during the year covered, including amounts deferred at the
election of those officers. Bonuses are paid in the year following the
year during which they are earned. Bonus amounts for 1998 include amounts
earned pursuant to the 1998 Supplemental Incentive Plan described on pages
11 and 12 as follows: Mr. Loucks--$615,600; Mr. Kraemer--$243,000; Mr.
McGinley--$141,750; Mr. Joseph--$141,750; and Mr. Mussallem--$141,750.
(2) As permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"), this column excludes perquisites and other personal benefits for
the named executive officer if the total incremental cost in a given year
did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of the combined salary
and bonus for that year. Accordingly, for Messrs. Kraemer, McGinley,
Joseph and Mussallem, the amounts shown exclude such perquisites and only
represent reimbursements for the payment of taxes. Of the amounts shown
for Mr. Loucks, $108,535 in 1998, $112,636 in 1997, and $168,600 in 1996,
represent the approximate incremental cost to Baxter for Mr. Loucks'
personal use of company aircraft, which Baxter required for security
reasons.
(3) Based on the $64.3125 closing price of Baxter common stock on December 31,
1998, the number and value of the aggregate restricted stock holdings of
the named executive officers on that date are as follows: Mr. Loucks--
110,747 shares ($7,122,416); Mr. Kraemer--42,519 shares ($2,734,503); Mr.
McGinley--21,179 shares ($1,362,074); Mr. Joseph--21,162 shares
($1,360,981); and Mr. Mussallem--21,168 shares ($1,361,367). No new grants
of restricted stock were made during 1998.
(4) Amounts shown represent the market value of earned restricted stock which
vested under Baxter's Incentive Plan, on December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
(each a "Vesting Date"). The vested shares were earned as of the December
31 preceding each Vesting Date. Mr. Loucks' 1997 amount also includes
65,000 additional
14
<PAGE>
Executive Compensation
shares of restricted stock which he earned over the five-year period ended
December 31, 1996 and which vested on December 31, 1997. These shares were
granted to Mr. Loucks in 1992 in lieu of salary and bonus increases for the
five-year period. No shares vested in 1998 for any of the named executive
officers because Incentive Plan participants were not eligible to earn
restricted stock for 1997.
(5) Amounts shown represent matching contributions in Baxter's Incentive
Investment Plan, a qualified section 401(k) profit sharing plan, additional
matching contributions in Baxter's deferred compensation plan and the
dollar value of split-dollar life insurance benefits. Those three amounts,
expressed in the same order as identified above, for the named executive
officers are as follows: Mr. Loucks--1998 ($4,800, $50,700 and $4,743),
1997 ($4,800, $43,770 and $4,218) and 1996 ($4,500, $42,030 and $3,486);
Mr. Kraemer--1998 ($4,800, $30,023 and $255), 1997 ($4,800, $19,104 and
$193) and 1996 ($4,500, $13,267 and $124); Mr. McGinley--1998 ($4,800,
$14,250 and $488), 1997 ($4,800, $12,150 and $447) and 1996 ($4,500, $9,946
and $378); Mr. Joseph--1998 ($4,800, $14,250 and $816), 1997 ($4,800,
$11,850 and $757) and 1996 ($4,500, $9,930 and $678); and Mr. Mussallem--
1998 ($4,800, $12,210 and $274), 1997 ($4,800, $12,450 and $250) and 1996
($4,500, $9,796 and $198).
(6) Mr. Kraemer assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer on January 1,
1999, upon the retirement of Mr. Loucks from that position.
Stock Option Grants
The following table contains information relating to the stock option grants
made in 1998 to the named executive officers.
<TABLE>
Option Grants Table
<CAPTION>
Potential Realizable Value at
Assumed Annual Rates of
Stock Price Appreciation
Individual Grants for Option Term
----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Percent of
Number of Total Options
Securities Granted to Exercise or
Underlying Employees in Base Price Expiration
Name Options Granted (#) Fiscal Year (%) ($/Sh)(2)(3) Date 0% ($) 5% ($)(4) 10% ($)(4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mr. Loucks 950,000 19.8 (5) 2/17/2005 -0- 17,668,008 44,774,202
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Kraemer 85,000 1.8 61.0625 11/14/2008 -0- 3,264,160 8,272,021
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. McGinley 36,000 0.8 61.0625 11/14/2008 -0- 1,382,468 3,503,444
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Joseph 25,000 0.5 61.0625 11/14/2008 -0- 960,047 2,432,947
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Mussallem 36,000 0.8 61.0625 11/14/2008 -0- 1,382,468 3,503,444
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Stockholders N/A N/A N/A N/A -0- 10,995,037,824(6) 27,865,548,985(6)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Optionees 4,806,000 100 various various -0- 184,320,000(7) 467,136,000(7)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optionee Gain as %
of All
Stockholders'
Gain N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.68% 1.68%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year (1)
(1) In 1998, Baxter granted options on approximately 4.8 million shares of its
common stock to approximately 2,800 employees at various exercise prices at
different times during the year.
(2) Except for the options granted to Mr. Loucks as described in footnote 5
below, the exercise price shown for the named executive officers is the
closing price of Baxter common stock on the date of the grant, which was
November 16, 1998.
(3) Except for the options granted to Mr. Loucks as described in footnote 5
below, all options shown in this table as granted to the named executive
officers become exercisable three years from the date of grant. The
exercise price of the options may be paid in cash or in shares of Baxter
common stock. If specified corporate control changes occur, all outstanding
options will become exercisable immediately.
15
<PAGE>
Executive Compensation
(4) Potential realizable values are calculated net of the option exercise
price but before taxes associated with exercise. The assumed rates of
stock price appreciation are set by rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission governing proxy statement disclosure and are not intended to
forecast the future appreciation of Baxter common stock.
(5) Mr. Loucks was granted a stock option to purchase 950,000 shares of Baxter
common stock. The exercise price for 500,000 shares is $56.1875, which was
the closing price of Baxter common stock on February 17, 1998, the date of
grant. The exercise price for 250,000 shares is $73.04, which was the
closing price on the date of grant plus 30 percent. The exercise price for
100,000 shares is $78.66, which was the closing price on the date of grant
plus 40 percent. The exercise price for the remaining 100,000 shares is
$84.28, which was the closing price on the date of grant plus 50 percent.
The stock option vests in four installments as follows: 400,000 options
vest on December 31, 1999, 200,000 options vest on December 29, 2000,
175,000 options vest on December 28, 2001, and the remaining 175,000
options vest on December 27, 2002. The options vest in order of their
exercise price, from lowest to highest. The entire stock option is subject
to accelerated vesting in accordance with the following: if Baxter's total
stockholder return, including reinvested dividends, for the two-year
period ending December 31, 1999, is at least 30 percent, then all 950,000
options vest on December 31, 1999.
(6) The potential realizable values for all stockholders were calculated on
the 286,329,110 shares of Baxter common stock outstanding on December 31,
1998. The potential realizable values were calculated assuming the
stockholders purchased the Baxter common stock at $61.0625, the closing
price on November 16, 1998.
(7) The potential realizable values for all optionees were calculated based on
the approximately 4.8 million options that were granted to employees of
Baxter at various exercise prices at different times during the year. The
potential realizable values were calculated assuming that all of the
options were granted at the $61.0625 exercise price.
Stock Option Exercises
The following table contains information relating to the exercise of stock
options by the named executive officers in 1998, as well as the number and
value of their unexercised options as of December 31, 1998.
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money
Shares Options at Options at
Acquired Fiscal Year-End (#)(1) Fiscal Year-End ($)(2)
on Exercise Value ------------------------- -------------------------
Name (#) Realized ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mr. Loucks 118,798 3,880,209 172,748 1,453,600 5,724,290 12,733,550
Mr.
Kraemer 6,295 239,800 61,265 260,700 2,037,080 3,333,931
Mr.
McGinley -0- N/A 56,222 168,700 1,905,239 2,534,819
Mr. Joseph 14,467 525,781 49,420 157,900 1,645,407 2,501,731
Mr.
Mussallem 4,833 210,487 47,967 167,500 1,642,013 2,518,844
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The sum of the numbers under the Exercisable and Unexercisable columns of
this table represents each named executive officer's total number of
outstanding options.
(2) The dollar amounts shown under the Exercisable and Unexercisable columns
of this table represent the number of exercisable and unexercisable
options, respectively, which had an exercise price below the closing price
of Baxter common stock on December 31, 1998, which was $64.3125,
multiplied by the difference between such closing price and the exercise
price of the options.
16
<PAGE>
Executive Compensation
Long-Term Incentive Plan
A description of Baxter's Long-Term Incentive Plan is contained in the
Compensation Committee Report under the heading "Compensation Elements--Long-
Term Incentives" and "--Restricted Stock" on page 11. No long-term incentive
plan table is included in this proxy statement because no long-term incentive
plan awards were granted to any of the named executive officers during 1998.
Pension Plan, Excess Plans and Supplemental Plans
The table on the following page shows estimated annual retirement benefits
payable to participants in Baxter's United States pension plan ("Pension
Plan") whose employment terminates at normal retirement (age 65). The normal
retirement benefit equals (i) 1.75 percent of an employee's Final Average Pay
multiplied by the employee's number of years of Pension Plan participation,
minus (ii) 1.75 percent of an employee's estimated primary social security
benefit, multiplied by the employee's number of years of Pension Plan
participation. The Final Average Pay is equal to the average of an employee's
five highest consecutive calendar years of earnings out of his or her last ten
calendar years of earnings. In general, the earnings covered by the Pension
Plan include salary, annual cash bonuses and other regular pay. The figures
shown include benefits payable under the Pension Plan, Baxter's related
defined benefit excess pension plan and supplemental plans for certain
individuals. The estimates assume that benefit payments begin at age 65 under
a single life annuity form. The figures are net of the Social Security offset
specified by the Pension Plan's benefit formula and do not include Social
Security benefits payable from the federal government. The estimated primary
Social Security benefit used in the calculations is that payable for an
individual attaining age 65 in 1998.
17
<PAGE>
Executive Compensation
Although age 65 is the normal retirement age under the Pension Plan, the
Pension Plan has early retirement provisions based on a point system. Under
the point system, each participant is awarded one point for each year of
Pension Plan participation and one point for each year of age. Participants
who terminate employment after accumulating at least 65 points, and who wait
to begin receiving their Pension Plan benefits until they have 85 points,
receive an unreduced Pension Plan benefit regardless of their actual age when
they begin receiving their Pension Plan benefits.
Pension Plan Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Estimated Annual Retirement Benefits
Years of Pension Plan Participation(1)(2)($)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Final Average
Pay(1)(2)($) 15 20 25 30 35
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
300,000 74,400 99,200 124,000 148,800 173,800
400,000 100,700 134,200 167,800 201,300 235,100
500,000 126,900 169,200 211,500 253,800 296,300
600,000 153,200 204,200 255,300 306,300 357,600
700,000 179,400 239,200 299,000 358,800 418,800
800,000 205,700 274,200 342,800 411,300 480,100
900,000 231,900 309,200 386,500 463,800 541,300
1,000,000 258,200 344,200 430,300 516,300 602,600
1,100,000 284,400 379,200 474,000 568,800 663,800
1,200,000 310,700 414,200 517,800 621,300 725,100
1,300,000 336,900 449,200 561,500 673,800 786,300
1,400,000 363,200 484,200 605,300 726,300 847,600
1,500,000 389,400 519,200 649,000 778,800 908,800
1,600,000 415,700 554,200 692,800 831,300 970,100
1,700,000 441,900 589,200 736,500 883,800 1,031,300
1,800,000 468,200 624,200 780,300 936,300 1,092,600
1,900,000 494,400 659,200 824,000 988,800 1,153,800
2,000,000 520,700 694,200 867,800 1,041,300 1,215,100
2,100,000 546,900 729,200 911,500 1,093,800 1,276,300
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) As of December 31, 1998, the named executive officers' years of Pension
Plan participation and Final Average Pay for purposes of calculating
annual retirement benefits payable under the Pension Plan are as follows:
Mr. Loucks--32 years and $1,548,220; Mr. Kraemer--15 years and $680,600;
Mr. McGinley--33 years and $501,842; Mr. Joseph--31 years and $509,448;
and Mr. Mussallem--18 years and $462,002.
(2) Before 1995, Mr. McGinley managed operations of Baxter's subsidiaries in
Canada and Japan. While he resided in those two countries, he did not
accrue benefits in the Pension Plan. In 1995, in recognition of Mr.
McGinley's service for Baxter outside the United States, Baxter provided
Mr. McGinley with a non-qualified and unfunded pension supplement. The
pension supplement will provide Mr. McGinley with the difference between
(i) his actual accrued benefits under the Pension Plan and Baxter's
Canadian Pension Plan and (ii) the benefit he would have accrued under the
Pension Plan if his service in Canada and Japan were included in the
Pension Plan. Also, the pension supplement provides him with five
additional years of Pension Plan participation and five additional years
of age. The 33 years of Pension Plan participation shown for Mr. McGinley
includes the five additional years which he received through the pension
supplement. The pension supplement is payable to Mr. McGinley at the same
time he begins to receive his actual accrued benefit under the Pension
Plan.
18
<PAGE>
Ownership of Baxter Stock
Stock Ownership of Directors and Officers
On February 19, 1999, there were approximately 286,934,424 shares of Baxter
common stock outstanding. The following table sets forth information as of
that date regarding beneficial ownership of Baxter's common stock by the named
executive officers and directors, each of whom owned less than one percent of
the outstanding common stock. The table also sets forth the total number of
shares of Baxter common stock beneficially owned by all executive officers and
directors of Baxter as a group, which amounted to 1.1 percent of the
outstanding common stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Options
Beneficially Exercisable Restricted
Name Owned(1) Within 60 days Shares Total(1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Non-employee Directors:
Walter E. Boomer 1,260 -- 3,000 4,260
Pei-yuan Chia 4,380 -- 4,000 8,380
John W. Colloton 1,020 -- 3,000 4,020
Susan Crown 16,000(2) -- 3,000 19,000(2)
Mary Johnston Evans 7,134 -- 4,000 11,134
Frank R. Frame 4,695 -- 4,000 8,695
Martha R. Ingram 34,000 -- 2,000 36,000
Arnold J. Levine,
Ph.D. 6,386 -- 4,000 10,386
Georges C. St.
Laurent, Jr. 252,283 -- 3,000 255,283
Monroe E. Trout, M.D. 9,385(3) -- 4,000 13,385(3)
Fred L. Turner 9,561 -- 2,000 11,561
Named Executive
Officers:
Vernon R. Loucks Jr. 182,855(4) 394,348 110,747 687,950(4)
Harry M. Jansen
Kraemer, Jr. 42,203 132,065 42,519 216,787
Jack L. McGinley 5,957(4) 101,422 21,179 128,558(4)
Donald W. Joseph 24,810(4) 94,820 21,162 140,792(4)
Michael A. Mussallem 37,921 91,967 21,168 151,056
All directors, nominees
and executive officers
as a group (34 persons) 879,972(4)(5) 1,871,342 465,721 3,217,035(4)(5)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Each individual has sole investment and voting power with respect to the
shares listed, except as described herein. Includes shares held in joint
tenancy with spouse over which the named individual shares voting or
investment power as follows: Mr. Chia--1,000 shares; Mr. Kraemer--41,863
shares; Mr. Mussallem--12,921 shares; and all directors, nominees and
executive officers as a group--169,568 shares. Includes shares not held
directly by the named individual but held by or for the benefit of their
spouses or minor children as follows: Dr. Levine--4,200 shares; Mr.
Loucks--3,750 shares; Mr. Kraemer--170 shares; Mr. Joseph--845 shares; and
all directors, nominees and executive officers as a group--15,737 shares.
(2) Includes 4,000 shares held in a trust of which Ms. Crown is a co-trustee,
1,000 shares held by a family partnership of which Ms. Crown is a partner,
and 2,000 shares held by various trusts of which her minor children are
beneficiaries. Ms. Crown disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(3) Includes 7,385 shares held in a family trust with respect to which Dr.
Trout disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4) Includes shares which the individual has a right to acquire within 60 days
of February 19, 1999 pursuant to his or her participation in Baxter's
Employee Stock Purchase Plan as follows: Mr. Loucks--160 shares; Mr.
McGinley--200 shares; and Mr. Joseph--190 shares; and all executive
officers as a group--2,440 shares.
(5) Includes shares beneficially owned as of January 31, 1999 by executive
officers in Baxter's Incentive Investment Plan, a qualified 401(k) profit
sharing plan, over which such executive officers have voting and
investment power.
19
<PAGE>
Ownership of Baxter Stock
Largest Stockholders
As of December 31, 1998, the following persons were the beneficial owners of
five percent or more of Baxter's common stock:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percent
Amount and Nature of of
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Class
---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Putnam Investment Management, Inc. (1)
The Putnam Advisory Company, Inc.
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109 16,248,766 shares 5.7%
---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Based solely on information contained in the Schedule 13G filed with the
SEC by Putnam Investments, Inc. ("PI") on behalf of itself, its parent
company, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. ("MMC"), and two investment
management subsidiaries of PI, Putnam Investment Management, Inc. ("PIM")
and The Putnam Advisory Company, Inc. ("PAC"). PAC reported that it had
shared power to vote or direct the vote of 343,265 shares, and PIM and PAC
reported that they had shared power to dispose or direct the disposition
of 16,248,766 shares. MMC and PI reported no beneficial ownership of any
of these shares. Pursuant to the rules under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, PIM and PAC are deemed to be the beneficial owners of the shares
shown because PIM and PAC have dispository power over these shares as
investment managers, and PAC has shared voting power with various mutual
funds over the shares held by each fund.
Baxter is not aware of any other stockholder owning in excess of five
percent of the outstanding common stock.
20
<PAGE>
Baxter's Financial Performance
The following graph compares the performance of Baxter's common stock with
the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index and the Standard & Poor's Medical
Products and Supplies Index. The comparison of total return (change in year
end stock price plus reinvested dividends) for each of the years assumes that
$100 was invested on December 31, 1993 in each of Baxter, the Standard &
Poor's 500 Index and the Standard & Poor's Products and Supplies Medical Index
with investment weighted on the basis of market capitalization. The 1996
Baxter dividend includes the Allegiance Corporation stock dividend distributed
in connection with the spin-off of Allegiance Corporation by Baxter on
September 30, 1996. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of
future performance.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/93 12/94 12/95 12/96 12/97 12/98
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Baxter International $100 $121 $184 $210 $264 $344
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P 500 Index $100 $101 $139 $171 $229 $294
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P Medical Products $100 $119 $200 $230 $287 $413
and Supplies Index
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
Minority Stockholder Proposal
Stockholder Proposal Relating to Cumulative Voting in the Election of
Directors--Proposal 3 on the Proxy Card
Baxter has been informed that the following stockholder proposal will be
presented for a vote at the 1999 Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors
recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal; its reasons follow the stockholder's
proposal and supporting statement.
Stockholder Proposal
Baxter has been advised that Margaret R. and/or John J. Gilbert, 29 East
64th Street, New York, New York 10021-7043, as co-trustees under the will of
Minnie D. Gilbert and as beneficial owners of 50 shares of Baxter common
stock, and/or Martin Glotzer, 7061 N. Kedzie, Chicago, Illinois 60645, as the
owner of 50 shares of Baxter common stock will have the following resolution
presented at the annual meeting:
RESOLVED: That the stockholders of Baxter International Inc., assembled in
annual meeting in person and by proxy, hereby request the Board of Directors
to take the steps necessary to provide for cumulative voting in the election
of directors, which means each stockholder shall be entitled to as many votes
as shall equal the number of shares he or she owns multiplied by the number of
directors to be elected, and he or she may cast all of such votes for a single
candidate, or any two or more of them as he or she may see fit.
Stockholder's Statement Supporting the Proposed Resolution
Continued very strong support along the lines we suggest were shown at the
last annual meeting when 31%, 3,743 owners of 67,761,708 shares, were cast in
favor of this proposal. The vote against included 2,755 unmarked proxies.
California law still requires that unless stockholders have voted not to
have cumulative voting they will have it. Ohio also has the same provision.
The National Bank Act provides for cumulative voting. In many cases compa-
nies get around it by forming holding companies without cumulative voting.
Banking authorities have the right to question the capability of directors to
be on banking boards. In many cases authorities come in after and say the di-
rector or directors were not qualified. We were delighted to see the SEC has
finally taken action to prevent bad directors from being on boards of public
companies. The SEC should have hearings to prevent such persons from becoming
directors before they harm investors.
Many successful corporations have cumulative voting. Example, Pennzoil de-
feated Texaco in that famous case. Texaco's recent problems might have also
been prevented with cumulative voting, getting directors on the board to pre-
vent such things. Ingersoll-Rand, also having cumulative voting, won two
awards. FORTUNE magazine ranked it second in its industry as "America's Most
Admired Corporations" and the WALL STREET TRANSCRIPT noted "on almost any cri-
teria used to evaluate management, Ingersoll-Rand, excels." In 1994 and 1995
they raised their dividend.
Lockheed-Martin, as well as VWR Corporation, now have a provision that if
anyone has 40% or more of the shares cumulative voting applies; it does apply
at the latter company.
In 1995 American Premier adopted cumulative voting. Allegheny Power System
tried to take away cumulative voting, as well as put in a stagger system, and
stockholders defeated it, showing stockholders are interested in their rights.
Also, Hewlett Packard, a very successful company, has cumulative voting.
22
<PAGE>
Minority Stockholder Proposal
If you agree, please mark your proxy for this resolution; otherwise it is
automatically cast against it, unless you have marked to abstain.
Board of Directors' Statement Opposing Stockholder Resolution
The Board believes that cumulative voting for the election of directors
would not serve the best interests of Baxter and its stockholders. According-
ly, the Board recommends a vote AGAINST the proposed resolution for the rea-
sons explained below.
The Board firmly believes that cumulative voting would threaten to undermine
effective Board functioning in at least two important respects. First, it is
the Board's duty to represent the interests of all of the stockholders. To do
so, each director must feel a responsibility toward all stockholders, without
any special loyalty to any one group. From this perspective, cumulative voting
is undesirable since directors elected by a particular group of stockholders
may be primarily concerned with representing the interests of the narrow con-
stituency that elected them rather than representing the interests of all
stockholders. Directors should be elected based on their ability and commit-
ment to represent the best interests of Baxter and its stockholders as a
whole. This tenet is best served when each director is elected by a plurality
of the stockholders.
Second, cumulative voting introduces the possibility of partisanship among
Board members, which could undermine the ability of the Board members to work
together effectively. If narrow constituencies of stockholders were to elect
"special interest" directors through cumulative voting, the resulting inabil-
ity of those directors to exercise independent judgment could impair the
Board's sound analysis and timely conduct of Baxter's business, to the detri-
ment of Baxter and all of its stockholders. The variety and complexity of is-
sues facing Baxter require that no actual or apparent "special influence"
bring into question the objectivity of the Board's insight, perspective or
counsel.
The possibility of factionalism that cumulative voting presents has led to a
trend against its adoption. Many companies have eliminated cumulative voting
over the years and, overall, its presence has declined. The State of Califor-
nia, considered among the most protective of stockholder interests, amended
its state laws in 1989 to permit the repeal of cumulative voting. In support-
ing the change, the Committee on Corporations of the Business Law Section of
the State Bar of California argued:
"While a healthy diversity of opinion and experience, as represented by
independent directors, is desirable, factionalism is not appropriate in the
board's essential executive function. The principal objective of a business
enterprise should be profit and gain for its shareholders, not political
accommodation of competing interests . . . Practical experience has shown
that effective management of a corporation requires candor and consensus in
the Boardroom, [not] rancor and contention."
The Board believes that the present method of voting will continue to work
as successfully in the future as it has in the past. Eleven of Baxter's thir-
teen Board members are independent non-employee directors, and the Board's
Planning and Organization Committee, which assists and advises the Board in
connection with Board membership, consists solely of non-employee directors.
This ensures that the Board will continue to act independently and in the best
interests of all of Baxter's stockholders. The Board encourages stockholders
to present director candidates to the Planning and Organization Committee. A
summary of the process by which stockholders may present director candidates
is included on page 25 of this proxy statement.
For all of these reasons, the Board recommends a vote AGAINST cumulative
voting in the election of directors.
23
<PAGE>
Other Information
Attending the Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting will take place at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook
Terrace, Illinois. A map showing the meeting location appears at the end of
this proxy statement.
Admittance to the meeting will be limited to stockholders eligible to vote
or their authorized representatives. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting,
simply indicate your intention by marking the designated box on the proxy
card, or by following the instructions provided when you vote through the
Internet or by telephone. Stockholders who wish to attend the Annual Meeting
but do not wish to vote by proxy prior to the meeting may register at the
door. Beneficial owners holding shares through a broker, bank, or other
nominee, will be admitted upon proof of ownership.
Reducing Mailing Expenses
Duplicates: If you received more than one copy of the 1998 Annual Report to
Stockholders at the same address and you wish to reduce the number you
receive, we will discontinue the mailing of the annual report on the accounts
you select if you mark the designated box on the appropriate proxy card(s), or
follow the instructions provided when you vote through the Internet or by
telephone. At least one account at your address must continue to receive the
annual report, unless you elect electronic delivery of future documents.
Electronic Delivery: If you wish to view future proxy materials and annual
reports through the Internet instead of receiving copies in the mail, simply
indicate this by marking the appropriate box on your proxy card and providing
your e-mail address or following the instructions provided when you vote
through the Internet. If you vote by telephone, you will not have the option
to elect electronic delivery while voting, but any registered stockholder may
make this election by contacting Baxter's transfer agent, First Chicago Trust
Company of New York, a division of Equiserve, at (201) 324-0498. If you elect
electronic delivery, we will discontinue mailing the proxy materials and
annual reports to you beginning next year and send you an e-mail message
notifying you of the Internet address or addresses where you may access the
proxy materials and annual report.
Cost of Proxy Solicitation
Baxter will bear the costs of soliciting proxies. Copies of proxy
solicitation materials will be mailed to all stockholders, and employees of
Baxter may communicate with stockholders to solicit their proxies. Banks,
brokers and others holding stock in their names, or in the names of nominees,
may request and forward copies of the proxy solicitation material to
beneficial owners and seek authority for execution of proxies, and Baxter will
reimburse them for their expenses in doing so at the rates approved by the New
York Stock Exchange.
In addition, Baxter has retained D.F. King & Co., Inc., 77 Water Street, New
York, New York 10005 to assist in the distribution and solicitation of
proxies. Baxter has agreed to pay D.F. King & Co., Inc. a fee of $10,000 plus
expenses for these services.
24
<PAGE>
Other Information
Future Stockholder Proposals and Nominations
Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal at Baxter's annual meeting
to be held in 2000, and who wishes to have a proposal included in Baxter's
proxy statement for that meeting, must deliver the proposal to the Corporate
Secretary. All proposals must be received by the Corporate Secretary no later
than November 20, 1999 and must satisfy the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission to be eligible for inclusion in the proxy
statement for that meeting.
Stockholders may present proposals that are proper subjects for
consideration at an annual meeting, even if the proposal is not submitted by
the deadline for inclusion in the proxy statement. To do so, the stockholder
must comply with the procedures specified by Baxter's bylaws. The bylaws,
which are available upon request from the Corporate Secretary, require all
stockholders who intend to make proposals at an annual stockholders meeting to
submit their proposals to the Corporate Secretary not fewer than 60 and not
more than 90 days before the anniversary date of the previous year's annual
meeting.
The bylaws also provide that nominations for director may only be made by
the Board of Directors (or an authorized board committee) or by a stockholder
entitled to vote who sends notice to the Corporate Secretary not fewer than 60
nor more than 90 days before the anniversary date of the previous year's
annual meeting.
To be eligible for consideration at the 2000 annual meeting, proposals which
have not been submitted by the deadline for inclusion in the proxy statement
and any nominations for director must be received by the Corporate Secretary
between February 4 and March 5, 2000. This advance notice period is intended
to allow all stockholders to have an opportunity to consider all business and
nominees expected to be considered at the meeting.
All submissions to, or requests from, the Corporate Secretary should be made
to Baxter's principal executive offices at One Baxter Parkway, Deerfield,
Illinois 60015.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Jan Stern Reed
Jan Stern Reed
Corporate Secretary
Deerfield, Illinois
March 19, 1999
25
<PAGE>
Other Information
Directions to the Annual Meeting
[MAP APPEARS HERE]
From downtown Chicago: From O'Hare Airport:
Take I-290 West to I-88 West, Take I-190 East to I-294 South,
Immediately after you pay the first Take I-294 South to I-88 West,
toll on I-88, exit at Cermak Road Immediately after you pay the first
sign, which exits onto Spring Road, toll on I-88, exit at Cermak Road
Proceed straight at stop light on sign, which exits onto Spring Road,
Spring Road, Proceed straight at stop light on
You will then pass through two stop Spring Road,
lights and will pass the Hyatt on You will then pass through two stop
your right, lights and will pass the Hyatt on
After the second stop light, turn your right,
right onto Drury Lane, After the second stop light, turn
Turn left at Drury Lane Entrance right onto Drury Lane,
sign. Turn left at Drury Lane Entrance
sign.
From the Western suburbs:
Take I-88 East, exit at Midwest From Baxter Corporate Headquarters
Road, in Deerfield:
After paying toll, turn right at Take I-294 South to I-88 West,
stop light onto Midwest Road, Immediately after you pay the first
Turn right at stop light onto 22nd toll on I-88, exit at Cermak Road,
Street, Proceed straight at stop light on
Turn left at stop light onto Route Spring Road,
83 (Kingery Highway), You will then pass through two stop
Proceed straight on Route 83 (past lights and will pass
Oak Brook Shopping Center) to the Hyatt on your right,
Butterfield/Roosevelt Road, After the second stop light, turn
Exit to right onto right onto Drury Lane,
Butterfield/Roosevelt Road and Turn left to the Drury Lane
proceed to Drury Lane (South), Entrance sign.
Turn right at Drury Lane Entrance
sign.
26
<PAGE>
8552
[X] Please mark your votes as in this example.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein.
If no directions are given, this proxy will be voted FOR election of directors,
FOR proposal 2 and AGAINST proposal 3.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR proposals 1 and 2.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Election of Directors (See Reverse).
FOR WITHHOLD
[_] [_]
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Ratification of independent accountants.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[_] [_] [_]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST proposal 3.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Proposal relating to cumulative voting in the election of directors.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[_] [_] [_]
Mark the box if you want your votes treated as confidential. [_]
Mark the box if you will attend the Annual Meeting. [_]
Mark the box if you have more than one account and want to discontinue receiving
multiple copies of future annual reports. [_]
Mark the box and provide your e-mail address in the comments section on the back
of this card if you would like to receive future proxy materials in electronic
format only. [_]
SIGNATURE (S)_________________________________________ DATE_____________________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such.
The signer hereby revokes all proxies heretofore given by the signer to vote at
said meeting or any adjournment thereof.
. FOLD AND DETACH HERE .
Baxter encourages you to take advantage of new and convenient ways to vote your
shares on the matters to be covered at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Please take the opportunity to use one of the three voting methods outlined
below to cast your ballot. If you vote through the Internet or by telephone, use
the voter control number printed in the box above, just below the perforation.
Your vote authorizes the named proxies to act in the same manner as if you
marked, signed, dated and returned the proxy card.
1. Vote through the Internet. Log on to the Internet and go to the web site
http://www.vote-by-net.com. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week until 24 hours prior to the Annual Meeting. Have this proxy card
in hand when you log on and follow the step-by-step instructions provided on
the screen.
2. Vote by phone. United States and Canadian stockholders may call
1-800-OK2-Vote (1-800-652-8683) from any touch-tone telephone. Telephone
voting is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until the Annual Meeting
begins. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. To vote as the Board of
Directors recommends on ALL proposals, press 1. Your vote will be confirmed
and cast as directed and the call will end. If you wish to vote on each
proposal separately, press 2.
3. Vote by mail -- Mark, sign and date your proxy card (above) and return it in
the postage-paid envelope herein provided or otherwise return it to Baxter,
P.O. Box 8616, Edison, New Jersey 08818-8616.
Thank You For Your Vote
[BAXTER LOGO]
Baxter International Inc.
One Baxter Parkway
Deerfield, Illinois 60015-4633
<PAGE>
PROXY
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - MAY 4, 1999
Solicited by the Board of Directors of Baxter International Inc.
The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Vernon R. Loucks Jr. and Thomas J. Sabatino,
Jr., and each of them, as proxyholders, with the powers the undersigned would
possess if personally present and with full power of substitution, to vote all
shares of common stock of the undersigned in Baxter International Inc.
(including shares credited to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan or the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan) at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4,
1999, and at any adjournment thereof, upon all subjects that may properly come
before the meeting, subject to any directions indicated on the reverse side of
this card. If no directions are given, the proxyholders will vote: for the
election of the three nominees for director listed hereon; in accord with the
Board of Directors' recommendations on the matters listed on the reverse side of
this card; and at their discretion on any other matter that may properly come
before the meeting.
- -------------------------------------------
Election of Directors, Nominees:
01 Martha R. Ingram
02 Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr.
03 Fred L. Turner
- -------------------------------------------
Comments/Change of Address/E-Mail Address
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
To vote through the Internet or by telephone, please see the instructions on the
reverse side of this card. To vote by mail, please sign and date this card on
the reverse and mail promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
-------------
SEE REVERSE
SIDE
-------------
. FOLD AND DETACH HERE .
ELECTRONIC DISSEMINATION OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you wish to view future proxy materials and annual reports through the
Internet instead of receiving copies in the mail, simply indicate this by
marking the appropriate box on the other side of this proxy card and providing
your e-mail address in the comments section above or by following the
instructions provided when you vote through the Internet. If you vote by
telephone, you will not have the option to elect electronic delivery while
voting, but any registered stockholder may make this election by contacting
Baxter's transfer agent, First Chicago Trust Company of New York, at (201) 324-
0498. If you elect electronic delivery, we will discontinue mailing the proxy
materials and annual report to you beginning next year and send you an e-mail
message notifying you of the Internet address or addresses where you may access
the proxy materials and annual report.
