The board of directors of Caterpillar Inc. voted to increase the quarterly cash dividend by 10 percent to $0.77 per share of common stock, payable August 20, 2015, to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 20, 2015.
"This 10 percent dividend increase is another example of our commitment to deliver superior returns to stockholders through the ups and downs of the industries we serve. Our strong balance sheet, cash flow and operational performance have put us in a position to reward stockholders with a higher dividend again this year," said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman. "The increase is consistent with our cash deployment priorities – maintaining financial strength, funding growth, appropriately funding pension/benefit plans, paying dividends and repurchasing stock.
"Today's announcement demonstrates a commitment to stockholders that goes back to 1925. I am proud that, despite periods of business and economic uncertainty, Caterpillar has paid a cash dividend to stockholders every year since the company was formed in 1925 and has paid a quarterly dividend since 1933. We've paid higher annual dividends to stockholders for 21 consecutive years, and the cash dividend has more than doubled since 2006. I am equally proud that our equipment and services have helped build, grow and power the world for over 90 years," Oberhelman added.
Since the beginning of 2013, Caterpillar has returned more than $10 billion in capital to its stockholders through dividend payments and stock repurchases, the company noted.