6-K UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
March 8, 2005
BASF AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
BASF CORPORATION
(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
Carl Bosch Strasse 38, LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY 67056
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- .
BASF Plans to Raise Dividend to EUR 1.70 Per Share
LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2005--BASF
(NYSE:BF) (FWB:BAS) (LSE:BFA) Plans to Raise Dividend to EUR 1.70 Per
Share.
-- Dividend yield 3.21 percent
-- Dividend to be paid out on April 29, 2005
At the Annual Meeting on April 28, 2005, the Board of Executive
Directors and the Supervisory Board of BASF Aktiengesellschaft are
proposing to pay an increased dividend for 2004 of EUR 1.70 (previous
year EUR 1.40) per share.
On the basis of the number of qualifying shares as of December 31,
2004, this would correspond to a total dividend payout of EUR 919
million. As a result of the continuation of the share buyback program,
the total dividend payable will be EUR 913 million based on the number
of qualifying shares as of February 22, 2005.
Relative to the 2004 year-end share price of EUR 53, BASF
shareholders will thus receive a dividend yield of 3.21 percent. In
terms of the dividend yield, BASF shares therefore continue to occupy
a very good position among companies listed in Germany's DAX index.
Since 1994, BASF has raised its dividend per share in eight out of
ten years; it remained unchanged in two years. This shows BASF's
interest in providing its shareholders with an attractive dividend
yield. Subject to approval by the Annual Meeting, the dividend will be
paid out on April 29, 2005.
BASF will report its financial results for 2004 in detail at its
Annual Press Conference on March 9, 2005. There will also be a
conference for financial analysts on the same day.
BASF is the world's leading chemical company. Our goal is to grow
profitably and further increase the value of our company. We help our
customers to be more successful through intelligent system solutions
and high-quality products. BASF's portfolio ranges from chemicals,
plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine
chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. Through new technologies we
can tap into additional market opportunities. We conduct our business
in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. BASF
shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London
(BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (AN). Further information
on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
Forward-looking statements
This release contains forward-looking statements under the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are
based on current expectations, estimates and projections of BASF
management and currently available information. They are not
guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and
uncertainties that are difficult to predict and are based upon
assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate.
Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of BASF to be materially different from those that may be
expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include those
discussed in BASF's Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. We do not assume any obligation to update the
forward-looking statements contained in this release.
CONTACT: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Michael Grabicki, +49 621 60-99938
Fax: +49 621 60-92693
michael.grabicki@basf-ag.de
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Date: March 9, 2005 By: /s/ Elisabeth Schick
------------------------------------
Name: Elisabeth Schick
Title: Director Site Communications
Ludwigshafen and Europe
By: /s/ Christian Schubert
------------------------------------
Name: Christian Schubert
Title: Director Corporate Communications
BASF Group