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 9, 2004
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- .
March 9, 2004
P 149e
Jennifer Moore-Braun
Phone: +49 621 60-20829
Fax: +49 621 60-92693
jennifer.moore-braun@basf-ag.de
BASF proposes dividend of EUR 1.40 per share
o Dividend yield 3.14 percent
o Dividend to be paid out on April 30, 2004
At the Annual Meeting on April 29, 2004, the Board of Executive Directors and
the Supervisory Board of BASF Aktiengesellschaft are proposing to pay a dividend
for 2003 of EUR 1.40 (previous year EUR 1.40) per share. This would
correspond to a total dividend payout of EUR 779 million.
Relative to the 2003 year-end share price of EUR 44.58, BASF shareholders will
thus receive a dividend yield of 3.14 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, which underlines their attractiveness to
investors.
Subject to approval by the Annual Meeting, the dividend will be paid out on
April 30, 2004.
BASF will report its financial results for 2003 in detail at its Annual Press
Conference on March 17, 2004. There will also be a conference for financial
analysts on the same day.
BASF is the world's leading chemical company, offering its customers a range of
high-performance products, including chemicals, plastics, performance products,
agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as crude oil and natural gas. Its
distinctive approach to integration, known in German as "Verbund," is its
strength. It enables BASF to achieve cost leadership and gives the company a
competitive advantage. BASF conducts its business in accordance with the
principles of sustainable development. In 2002, BASF had sales of about (euro)32
billion (circa $34 billion) and over 89,000 employees worldwide. 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.
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, 2004 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