SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 11, 1997
CATERPILLAR INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-768
(Commission File Number)
37-0602744
(IRS Employer I.D. No.)
100 NE Adams Street, Peoria, Illinois
(Address of principal executive offices)
61629
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (309) 675-1000
Item 5. Other Events
The Board of Directors of Caterpillar Inc. today voted to increase the
quarterly cash dividend from 40 to 50 cents per share of common stock -
a 25-percent increase. The board also voted to split the outstanding
shares of company common stock on a two-for-one basis in the form of a
100 percent stock dividend. The company previously split the stock on
a two-for-one basis in September, 1994. The stock dividend is payable
July 11, 1997 to shareholders of record June 23, 1997.
The cash dividend, declared on a pre-split basis, is payable
August 20, 1997, to stockholders of record at the close of business
on July 21, 1997. It's the fifth cash dividend increase since the
company reorganized in the early '90s, and boosts the dividend per
share (pre-split) to $2.00 on an annualized basis.
Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Donald V. Fites said the board was pleased
to take both actions. "We've set record sales and profits for the last
three years, and instituted the strategies that will continue to make
us a leading global competitor well into the next century," said Fites.
"These actions further demonstrate our board's confidence in the
company's ability to maintain superior performance in the years ahead."
Fites said the split makes the stock more attractive to a wider spectrum
of investors and should benefit both the company and stockholders.
The company's share repurchase program - begun in 1995 - will continue
with an adjusted target of 360 million outstanding shares at its
completion.
The company's outlook remains unchanged from that issued on
April 15, 1997.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CATERPILLAR INC.
By: /s/ R. Rennie Atterbury III
R. Rennie Atterbury III
Vice President
Date: June 11, 1997
