DEERFIELD, Ill., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Board of Directors of Baxter International Inc. today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.1675 per share of Baxter common stock. This payment represents a 15 percent increase on an annual basis over the company’s previous annual dividend of $0.582 per share. The dividend is payable on April 2, 2007 to shareholders of record as of March 10, 2007.
“We are pleased to be in the position to return value to our shareholders through an increased dividend and to resume quarterly payments,” said Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. “The significant improvements we have made in Baxter’s financial position and our strong operating performance provide us with flexibility to further increase our dividend rate and repurchase shares, as well as accelerate investments in our business to drive growth over the long term.”
Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including hemophilia, immune disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma and other conditions. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.
This release includes forward-looking statements concerning the company’s dividend and other uses of company funds. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: continued strength in the company’s financial position, including cash flows; future decisions of the board of directors of the company to continue payments to shareholders in the form of a dividend relative to alternative uses of funds including, but not limited to, repurchasing the company’s shares and other investments in the company’s businesses; and other risks identified in the company’s most recent filing on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings, all of which are available on the company’s website. The company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.
Baxter International Inc.
CONTACT: Media, Deborah Spak, +1-847-948-2349, or Tom Kline,+1-847-948-2251, or Investors, Mary Kay Ladone, +1-847-948-3371, or ClareTrachtman, +1-847-948-3085, all of Baxter International Inc.
Web site: http://www.baxter.com/
