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UNITED STATES |
OMB APPROVAL |
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
OMB Number: 3235-00595 |
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Washington, D.C. 20549 |
Expires: February 28, 2006 |
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SCHEDULE 14A |
Estimated average burden hours per response......... 12.75 |
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant x | |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o | |
Check the appropriate box: | |
o | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
o | Definitive Additional Materials |
o | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule §240.14a-12 |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | No fee required. | |
o | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | |
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2. | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
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3. | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
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4. | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
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5. | Total fee paid: | |
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SEC 1913 (03-04) Persons who are to respond to the Collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB cotrol number. |
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o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | |
o | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | |
1. | Amount Previously Paid: | |
2. | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
3. | Filing Party: | |
4. | Date Filed: | |
Dear Stockholder:
AUGUST A. BUSCH III |
PATRICK T. STOKES |
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Chairman of
the Board |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
1. |
To elect five directors for a term of three years; |
2. |
To approve the Officer Bonus Plan, as amended; |
3. |
To approve the 1998 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended; |
4. |
To approve the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as independent registered public accounting firm, to audit the books and accounts of the Company and the Companys control over financial reporting for 2005; and |
5. |
To act upon such other matters, if any, as may properly come before the meeting. |
Important
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Questions
and Answers About the Annual Meeting and Voting |
2 | |||||
Item 1:
Election of Directors |
6 | |||||
Stock
Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers |
10 | |||||
Principal
Holders of Stock |
11 | |||||
Additional
Information Concerning the Board of Directors |
11 | |||||
Item 2:
Approval of Officer Bonus Plan, as amended |
13 | |||||
Item 3:
Approval of 1998 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended |
15 | |||||
Item 4:
Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
18 | |||||
Report of
the Audit Committee |
19 | |||||
Report of
the Compensation Committee |
20 | |||||
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation |
22 | |||||
Summary
Compensation Table |
23 | |||||
Comparison
of Five Year Cumulative Total Return |
24 | |||||
Option
Grants Table |
25 | |||||
Option
Exercises and Year-End Option Values Table |
26 | |||||
Pension
Plans Table |
26 | |||||
Change In
Control Arrangements |
27 | |||||
Equity
Compensation Plans Table |
27 | |||||
Other
Relationships Involving Directors, Officers, or Their Associates |
28 | |||||
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance |
29 | |||||
Other
Matters |
29 | |||||
Appendix A
Corporate Governance Guidelines |
A-1 | |||||
Appendix B
Officer Bonus Plan, as amended |
B-1 | |||||
Appendix C
1998 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended |
C-1 | |||||
Appendix D
Audit Committee Charter |
D-1 |
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR 2005 ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS
Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting and Voting
Q: | Why did I receive this Proxy Statement? |
A: | Because you are a stockholder of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. (the Company) as of the record date and are entitled to vote at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting or the Meeting), the Board of Directors of the Company is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Meeting. |
Q: | What am I voting on? |
A: | You are voting on four items: |
1. |
Election of five Group II directors for a term of three
years: John E. Jacob Charles F. Knight Joyce M. Roché Henry Hugh Shelton Patrick T. Stokes |
2. |
Approval of the Officer Bonus Plan, as amended |
3. |
Approval of the 1998 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended |
4. |
Approval of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for 2005 |
Q: | What are the voting recommendations of the Board of Directors? |
A: | The Board recommends the following votes: |
1. |
FOR each of the director nominees |
2. |
FOR approval of the Officer Bonus Plan, as amended |
3. |
FOR approval of the 1998 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended |
4. |
FOR approval of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for 2005 |
Q: | Will any other matters be voted on? |
A: | We do not know of any other matters that will be brought before the stockholders for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the Meeting, your signed proxy card gives authority to August A. Busch III, Patrick T. Stokes, and JoBeth G. Brown, as the Proxy Committee, to vote on such matters in their discretion. |
Q: | Who is entitled to vote? |
A: | Stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 28, 2005 (the Record Date) are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. |
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Q: | What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner? |
A: | Many stockholders hold their shares through a stockbroker, bank, or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially. |
Q: | How do I vote? |
A: | If you are a stockholder of record, there are four ways to vote: |
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by toll-free telephone at 1-800-690-6903; |
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by Internet at www.proxyvote.com; |
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by completing and mailing your proxy card; and |
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by written ballot at the Meeting. |
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Q: | Is my vote confidential? |
A: | Yes. It is the policy of the Company that all proxies, ballots, and vote tabulations that identify the vote of a stockholder will be kept confidential from the Company, its directors, officers, and employees until after the final vote is tabulated and announced, except in limited circumstances including any contested solicitation of proxies, when required to meet a legal requirement, to defend a claim against the Company or to assert a claim by the Company, and when written comments by a stockholder appear on a proxy card or other voting material. |
Q: | Who will count the vote? |
A: | Representatives of ADP Investor Communication Services, Inc. (ADP) will count the vote and serve as the inspectors of election. |
Q: | What is the quorum requirement of the meeting? |
A: | A majority of the outstanding shares determined on February 28, 2005, represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting constitutes a quorum for voting on items at the Annual Meeting. If you vote, your shares will be part of the quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted in determining the quorum, but neither will be counted as votes cast. On February 28, 2005, there were 777,096,058 shares outstanding. |
Q: | What are broker non-votes? |
A: | Broker non-votes occur when nominees, such as banks and brokers holding shares on behalf of beneficial owners, do not receive voting instructions from the beneficial holders at least ten days before the Meeting. If that happens, the nominees may vote those shares only on matters deemed routine by the New York Stock Exchange. On non-routine matters nominees cannot vote without instructions from the beneficial owner, resulting in a so-called broker non-vote. Broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of any matters being voted on at the Meeting, assuming that a quorum is obtained. |
Q: | What vote is required to approve each proposal? |
A: | In the election of directors, the five nominees receiving the highest number of FOR votes will be elected. The other proposals require the approving vote of at least a majority of the votes cast. |
Q: | What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card? |
A: | It means your shares are in more than one account. You should vote the shares on all of your proxy cards. |
Q: | How can I consolidate multiple accounts registered in variations of the same name? |
A: | If you have multiple accounts, we encourage you to consolidate your accounts by having all your shares registered in exactly the same name and address. You may do this by contacting our transfer agent, Mellon Investor Services, by phone (toll-free) at 1-888-213-0964 or by mail to P.O. Box 3315, South Hackensack, NJ 07606, attention: Shareholder Correspondence. |
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Q: | I own my shares indirectly through my broker, bank, or other nominee, and I receive multiple copies of the annual report, proxy statement, and other mailings because more than one person in my household is a beneficial owner. How can I change the number of copies of these mailings that are sent to my household? |
A: | If you and other members of your household are beneficial owners, you may eliminate this duplication of mailings by contacting your broker, bank, or other nominee. Duplicate mailings in most cases are wasteful for us and inconvenient for you, and we encourage you to eliminate them whenever you can. If you have eliminated duplicate mailings but for any reason would like to resume them, you must contact your broker, bank, or other nominee. |
Q: | I own my shares directly as a registered owner of Anheuser-Busch stock, and so do other members of my family living in my household. How can I change the number of copies of the annual report and proxy statement being delivered to my household? |
A: | Family members living in the same household generally receive only one copy of the annual report, proxy statement, and most other mailings per household. The only item which is separately mailed for each registered stockholder or account is a proxy card, as discussed above. If you wish to start receiving separate copies in your name, apart from others in your household, you must contact Mellon Investor Services by phone (toll-free) at 1-888-213-0964 or by mail to P.O. Box 3315, South Hackensack, NJ 07606, attention: Shareholder Correspondence and request that action. Within 30 days after your request is received we will start sending you separate mailings. If for any reason you and members of your household are receiving multiple copies and you want to eliminate the duplications, please contact Mellon Investor Services by phone (toll-free) at 1-888-213-0964 or by mail to P.O. Box 3315, South Hackensack, NJ 07606, attention: Shareholder Correspondence and request that action. That request must be made by each person in the household. |
Q: | Multiple shareowners live in my household, and together we received only one copy of this years annual report and proxy statement. How can I obtain my own separate copy of those documents for the meeting in April? |
A: | You may pick up copies in person at the meeting in April or download them from our website, www.anheuser-busch.com (click on Investor Info). If you want copies mailed to you and are a beneficial owner, you must request them from your broker, bank, or other nominee. If you want copies mailed and are a stockholder of record, we will mail them promptly if you request them from our transfer agent, Mellon Investor Services, by phone (toll-free) at 1-888-213-0964 or by mail to P.O. Box 3315, South Hackensack, NJ 07606, attention: Shareholder Correspondence. We cannot guarantee you will receive mailed copies before the meeting. |
Q: | Can I change my vote? |
A: | Yes. If you are a stockholder of record, you can change your vote or revoke your proxy any time before the Annual Meeting by: |
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entering a new vote by Internet or telephone; |
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returning a later-dated proxy card; |
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sending written notice of revocation to the Vice President and Secretary; or |
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completing a written ballot at the Meeting. |
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Q: | How will my dividend reinvestment shares be voted? |
A: | Shares of common stock held by participants in the Companys dividend reinvestment plan have been added to the participants other holdings on their proxy cards. |
Q: | Who can attend the Annual Meeting? |
A: | All Anheuser-Busch stockholders as of the close of business on February 28, 2005 may attend. |
Q: | What do I need to do to attend the Annual Meeting? |
A: | If you are a stockholder of record or a participant in one of the Anheuser-Busch Deferred Income Stock Purchase and Savings Plans, your admission ticket is attached to your proxy card or voting instruction form. You will need to bring the admission ticket with you to the Meeting. |
Q: | Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting? |
A: | We plan to announce preliminary voting results at the Meeting and publish final results in our quarterly report on SEC Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2005. |
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1 on Proxy
Card)
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Nominees for election at this meeting to a term expiring in 2008 (Group II Directors):
John E. Jacob Mr. Jacob, 70, has been a director since 1990. He has been Executive Vice PresidentGlobal Communications of the Company since 2002. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of the Company from 1994 to 2002. He is also a director of Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. and Morgan Stanley. |
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Charles F. Knight Mr. Knight, 69, has been a director since 1987. He has been Chairman Emeritus of Emerson Electric Co., a manufacturer of electrical and electronic equipment, since September 2004. He served as Chairman of the Board of Emerson Electric from 1974 to September 2004 and as Chief Executive Officer of Emerson Electric from 1973 to October 2000. He is also a director of BP p.l.c., International Business Machines Corporation, Morgan Stanley, and SBC Communications Inc. |
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Joyce M. Roché Ms. Roché, 57, has been a director since 1998. She has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Girls Incorporated, a national nonprofit research, education, and advocacy organization, since 2000. She was an independent management consultant from 1999 to 2000 and President and Chief Operating Officer of Carson, Inc., a personal care products company, from 1996 to 1998. She is also a director of SBC Communications Inc., Tupperware Corporation, and The May Department Stores Company. |
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Henry Hugh Shelton General Shelton, 63, has been a director since 2001. He has been President, International Operations of M.I.C. Industries, an international manufacturing company, since 2002. He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1997 to 2001. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Army for 34 years as a specialist in airborne strategies and special operation tactics, including service as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Special Operations Command from 1996 to 1997. He is also a director of Anteon International Corporation and Red Hat, Inc. |
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Patrick T. Stokes Mr. Stokes, 62, has been a director since 2000. He has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2002. He was Senior Executive Vice President of the Company from 2000-2002. He is also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated and Chairman of the Board of Anheuser-Busch International, Inc. and has served in such capacities since 2000 and 1999, respectively. He served as Vice President and Group Executive of the Company from 1984 to 2000. He is also a director of Ameren Corporation and U.S. Bancorp. |
The Board of
Directors recommends a vote FOR these five nominees.
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Directors whose term continues until 2006 (Group III Directors)
James J. Forese Mr. Forese, 69, has been a director since 2003. He has been Operating Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Thayer Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm, since 2003. He was Chairman of the Board of IKON Office Solutions, Inc. (IKON) from 2000 until his retirement in 2003. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of IKON from 1998 to 2002, Executive Vice President and President of International Operations of IKON from 1997 to 1998, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of IKON from 1996 to 1997. Prior to joining IKON, he spent 36 years with IBM Corporation (IBM) in numerous executive positions, including two years as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IBM Credit Corporation, three years as Vice PresidentFinance of IBM, and six years as Vice President and Controller of IBM. He is also a director of BFI Canada, Spherion Corporation, and Suntron Corporation. |
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Vernon R. Loucks, Jr. Mr. Loucks, 70, has been a director since 1988. He has been Chairman of the Board of The Aethena Group, LLC, a healthcare merchant banking firm, since 2001. He was Chief Executive Officer of Segway L.L.C., a company providing solutions to short distance travel, from January to November 2003. He was Chairman of the Board of Baxter International Inc., a manufacturer of health care products, specialty chemicals, and instruments from 1980 to 1999 and was Chief Executive Officer of Baxter International from 1980 to 1998. He is also a director of Affymetrix, Inc., Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Emerson Electric Co., Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corp., and Pain Therapeutics, Inc. |
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Vilma S. Martinez Ms. Martinez, 61, has been a director since 1983. She has been a partner in the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP since 1982. She is also a director of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation and Fluor Corporation. |
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William Porter Payne Mr. Payne, 57, has been a director since 1997. He has been a partner of Gleacher Partners LLC, an investment banking and asset management firm, since 2000. He was Vice Chairman of PTEK Holdings, Inc., an enhanced communications provider, from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Payne is also a director of Cousins Properties, Inc., Crown Crafts, Inc., and Jefferson-Pilot Corporation. |
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Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. Mr. Whitacre, 63, has been a director since 1988. He has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SBC Communications Inc., a communications holding company, since 1990. He is also a director of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation. |
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Directors whose term continues until 2007 (Group I Directors):
August A. Busch III Mr. Busch, 67, has been a director since 1963. He has been Chairman of the Board of the Company since 1977. He also served as President of the Company from 1974 to June 2002 and as Chief Executive Officer from 1975 to June 2002. He is also a director of Emerson Electric Co. and SBC Communications Inc. |
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Carlos Fernandez G. Mr. Fernandez, 38, has been a director since 1996. He is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Modelo, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican company engaged in brewing and related operations, which positions he has held since 1994 and 1997, respectively. During the last five years he has also served and continues to serve in key positions of the major production subsidiaries of Grupo Modelo, including Executive Vice President since 1994 and Chief Operating Officer since 1992. He is also a director of Emerson Electric Co. and Grupo Televisa, S.A. de C.V. |
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James R. Jones Ambassador Jones, 65, has been a director since 1998. He has been Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Manatt Jones Global Strategies, LLC, a global consulting firm, since 2001. He has been Senior Counsel in the law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP since 1998. He was President of Warnaco International, an apparel company, from 1997 to 1998. He was the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 1993 to 1997. He is also a director of Kansas City Southern and Keyspan Energy Corp. |
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Andrew C. Taylor Mr. Taylor, 57, has been a director since 1995. He is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company (Enterprise), an international car rental and related services company. He has been Chairman of Enterprise since November 2001 and Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise since 1991. He served as President of Enterprise from 1991 to October 2001. He is also a director of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. |
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Douglas A. Warner III Mr. Warner, 58, has been a director since 1992. He was Chairman of the Board and Co-Chairman of the Executive Committee of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., an international commercial and investment banking firm, from December 2000 until he retired in November 2001. From 1995 until 2000, he was Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan & Co., Incorporated. He is also a director of General Electric Company and Motorola, Inc. |
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Stock Ownership by Directors and Executive Officers
Name |
Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
Share Units and Share Equivalents(1) |
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W. Randolph
Baker |
1,951,132 | (2) | 6,833 | |||||||
August A.
Busch III |
8,982,104 | (3) | 25,688 | |||||||
August A.
Busch IV |
1,102,221 | (4) | 7,175 | |||||||
Carlos
Fernandez G. |
29,494 | (5) | 1,169 | |||||||
James J.
Forese |
11,667 | (6) | | |||||||
John E.
Jacob |
995,762 | (7) | 18,397 | |||||||
James R.
Jones |
19,716 | (8)(9) | | |||||||
Charles F.
Knight |
50,001 | (8) | 78,583 | |||||||
Stephen K.
Lambright |
1,753,125 | (10) | | |||||||
Vernon R.
Loucks, Jr. |
22,001 | (8) | 4,326 | |||||||
Vilma S.
Martinez |
18,578 | (8) | 24,260 | |||||||
Douglas J.
Muhleman |
833,527 | (11) | 3,203 | |||||||
William
Porter Payne |
22,111 | (8) | 2,195 | |||||||
Joyce M.
Roché |
19,257 | (8) | 3,946 | |||||||
Henry Hugh
Shelton |
14,596 | (12) | 376 | |||||||
Patrick T.
Stokes |
5,095,246 | (13) | 19,689 | |||||||
Andrew C.
Taylor |
57,084 | (8) | 1,702 | |||||||
Douglas A.
Warner III |
22,001 | (8) | 2,648 | |||||||
Edward E.
Whitacre, Jr. |
9,001 | (5) | 20,958 | |||||||
All directors
and executive officers as a group (31 persons) |
27,008,870 | (14) |
(1) | Includes share unit balances in the Companys deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors and share equivalent balances held by executives in the Companys 401(k) Restoration Plan. Although ultimately paid in cash, the value of share units and share equivalents mirrors the value of the Companys common stock. The share units and share equivalents do not have voting rights. |
(2) | The number of shares includes 1,660,415 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options, of which 172,160 are held in a family partnership. |
(3) | The number of shares includes 4,123,401 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options, of which 275,000 are held in trusts for the benefit of children of Mr. Busch III. Of the shares shown, Mr. Busch III has shared voting and shared investment power as to 1,059,836 shares and 2,048,064 shares are held in trusts of which Mr. Busch III is income beneficiary and as to which he has certain rights, but as to which he has no voting or investment power. 83,933 shares beneficially owned by members of his immediate family are not included. |
(4) | The number of shares includes 1,050,035 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options. Of those, 125,000 were granted to Mr. Busch III and presently are held in trusts for the benefit of Mr. Busch IV or his sister, of which Mr. Busch IV is a co-trustee. |
(5) | The number of shares includes 5,001 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options. |
(6) | The number of shares includes 1,667 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options. |
(7) | The number of shares includes 899,238 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options, of which 80,000 are held in a trust for the benefit of the child of Mr. Jacob. |
(8) | The number of shares includes 18,001 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options. |
(9) | Mr. Jones has shared voting and shared investment power with respect to 1,070 of these shares. |
(10) | The number of shares includes 1,579,395 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options. 22,264 shares owned by members of Mr. Lambrights immediate family are not included. |
(11) | The number of shares includes 790,523 that are subject to currently exercisable stock options. Mr. Muhleman has shared voting and shared investment power with respect to 1,515 of these shares. |
(12) | The number of shares includes 10,001 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options. |
(13) | The number of shares includes 4,669,496 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options, of which 494,938 are held in a family partnership, 351,252 shares that are held in a family partnership for which Mr. Stokes wife has shared voting and shared invest- |
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ment power and 15,645 shares that are held in a trust in which Mr. Stokes and his wife have an economic interest, but as to which they have no voting or investment power. 122 shares beneficially owned by a member of Mr. Stokes immediate family are not included. |
(14) | The number of shares stated includes 20,440,302 shares that are subject to currently exercisable stock options or options that become exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2005, 2,048,064 of the shares that are referred to in Note 3 and 366,897 of the shares that are referred to in Note 13 for which Mr. Stokes has no voting or investment power. The directors and executive officers as a group have sole voting and sole investment power as to 3,091,185 shares and shared voting and shared investment power as to 1,062,421 shares. 119,160 shares held by immediate family members or family trusts are not included and beneficial ownership of such shares is disclaimed. |
Principal Holders of Stock
Name and Address |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percent of Class |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barclays
Global Investors, NA and Affiliates 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 |
45,006,583 | 5.68 | %(a) |
(a) | This information is based on the Schedule 13G dated February 14, 2005 filed by Barclays Global Investors, NA and affiliates with the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting on beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2004. In addition to Barclays Global Investors, NA, affiliates on the filing are Barclays Global Fund Advisors, Barclays Global Investors, LTD, Barclays Global Investors Japan Trust and Banking Company Limited, Barclays Life Assurance Company Limited, Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Capital Securities Limited, Barclays Capital Inc., Barclays Private Bank & Trust (Isle of Man) Limited, Barclays Private Bank and Trust (Jersey) Limited, Barclays Bank Trust Company Limited, Barclays Bank (Suisse) SA, Barclays Private Bank Limited, Bronco (Barclays Cayman) Limited, Palomino Limited, and HYMF Limited. According to the filing, the reporting persons have sole voting power with respect to 39,922,152 shares and sole investment power with respect to 45,006,583 shares. |
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12
APPROVAL OF THE ANHEUSER-BUSCH OFFICER BONUS PLAN, AS AMENDED
(Item 2 on
Proxy Card)
Summary Description of the Bonus Plan
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Name |
Amount of Payment |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P. T.
Stokes |
$3,139,500 | |||||
A. A. Busch
III |
1,345,500 | |||||
A. A. Busch
IV |
986,700 | |||||
W. R.
Baker |
627,900 | |||||
S. K.
Lambright |
538,200 | |||||
D. J.
Muhleman |
426,075 | |||||
All
Executive Officers (including the persons named above) |
11,136,615 | |||||
All
Non-Executive Officer Employees |
4,365,048 |
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Reasons for Amending the 1998 Plan
Summary Description of the 1998 Plan
15
16
Awards Granted under the 1998 Plan
Name |
Number of Options Granted |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P. T.
Stokes |
900,000 | |||||
A. A. Busch
III |
450,000 | |||||
A. A. Busch
IV |
500,000 | |||||
W. R.
Baker |
300,000 | |||||
S. K.
Lambright |
225,000 | |||||
D. J.
Muhleman |
230,000 | |||||
All
Executive Officers (including the persons named above) |
4,315,000 | |||||
All
Non-Executive Officer Employees |
9,762,881 |
Federal Income Tax Considerations
17
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
19
Fees Paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers
2004 |
2003 |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audit
Fees |
$ | 4.5 | $ | 3.1 | ||||||
Audit Related
Fees |
2.5 | 0.8 | ||||||||
Tax
Fees |
1.7 | 1.9 | ||||||||
Total
PricewaterhouseCoopers Fees |
$ | 8.7 | $ | 5.8 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Report of the Compensation Committee
Compensation Philosophy
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Total compensation should reward individual and corporate performance and provide incentive for enhancement of shareholder value. |
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The Company should provide a base salary to employees that will maintain its competitive market position. The Company should offer an annual bonus opportunity that aligns corporate growth objectives and performance with individual achievements. Stock options should be used to foster a long-term perspective aligned with that of the shareholders. |
|
Compensation plans should be simple and easily understood. Executives must clearly understand variable compensation opportunities and how to earn variable rewards. |
20
|
The Anheuser-Busch program should reflect competitive levels of fixed and variable compensation. An external compensation consultant should annually report to the Committee on the competitive mix of base, bonus, and long-term incentives for a comparator group of national companies. |
2004 Compensation
|
Overall Company Performance. In addition to their current knowledge of Company operations through participation at regular Board meetings, the Committee specifically looked at annual and long term earnings and cash flow growth; market share gains; return to shareholders (see chart on page 24); progress toward long-term objectives; individual divisional results as appropriate; and various qualitative factors relating to Company performance. There is no set weighting of these variables as applied to individual executive positions. |
|
Individual Performance. The Committee considers, in addition to business results, the executives achievement of various other managerial objectives, personal development goals, and prior compensation levels, including awards of long term incentives. |
|
Competitive Compensation. The Committee is provided a report from a compensation consulting firm which details Anheuser-Busch compensation practices relative to a comparable group of 20 companies. This group is comprised of large national consumer goods companies. The companies in the sample are chosen in consultation with the consulting firm to be representative of the types of companies Anheuser-Busch competes with for executive talent. The report reviews base salary, annual bonus, and long-term incentive awards for the CEO and other officer positions with responsibilities that are comparable across the group. The consulting firm believes, and the Committee concurs, that this sample of benchmarks not only provides guidance for specific positions, but also provides guidance to develop benchmarks for those positions not specifically included in the sample. |
21
able in the bonus pool and generally less than the prior years bonuses. Due to regulations of the Internal Revenue Service and provisions of the Plan and 2004 Program, any adjustments to the bonuses for the participating executives named in the summary compensation table on page 23 could only be reductions from the amounts determined by formula. Bonuses for other participants were determined after subjectively taking into consideration individual performance toward corporate or divisional objectives. Mr. Stokes 2004 bonus was $3,139,500.
Long-Term Incentives:
Other Compensation:
Policy on Deductibility of Compensation Expenses
The Compensation Committee:
Vernon R. Loucks, Jr. (Chair)
James J.
Forese
Vilma S. Martinez
William Porter Payne
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
22
Summary Compensation Table
Annual Compensation(1) |
Long-Term Compensation |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Other Annual Compensation ($)(2) |
Awards of Stock Options (#) |
All Other Compensation ($)(3) |
||||||||||||||||||||
P. T.
Stokes |
2004 | 1,461,000 | 3,139,500 | 14,780 | 900,000 | 146,146 | ||||||||||||||||||||
President and
Chief |
2003 | 1,391,250 | 3,500,000 | 16,122 | 1,354,200 | 147,716 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Executive
Officer |
2002 | 1,325,000 | 3,100,000 | 16,060 | 1,354,200 | 131,028 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. A. Busch
III |
2004 | 600,000 | 1,345,500 | 32,442 | 450,000 | 97,151 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chairman of
the Board |
2003 | 600,000 | 1,500,000 | 37,977 | 750,000 | 105,564 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2002 | 900,000 | 2,700,000 | 40,972 | 1,000,000 | 131,592 | |||||||||||||||||||||
A. A. Busch
IV |
2004 | 900,000 | 986,700 | 12,499 | 500,000 | 77,821 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Vice
President |
2003 | 800,000 | 1,000,000 | 11,814 | 600,000 | 71,718 | ||||||||||||||||||||
and Group
Executive |
2002 | 600,000 | 700,000 | 11,875 | 500,000 | 53,228 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. R.
Baker |
2004 | 590,000 | 627,900 | 7,499 | 300,000 | 64,123 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Vice
President and |
2003 | 560,000 | 670,000 | 9,203 | 325,000 | 64,841 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chief
Financial Officer |
2002 | 530,000 | 625,000 | 11,126 | 300,000 | 58,742 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. K.
Lambright(4) |
2004 | 568,409 | 538,200 | 9,011 | 225,000 | 118,619 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Former Group
Vice |
2003 | 570,000 | 600,000 | 11,412 | 225,000 | 73,197 | ||||||||||||||||||||
President and
Chief |
2002 | 540,000 | 550,000 | 13,609 | 225,000 | 67,273 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Legal
Officer |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. J.
Muhleman |
2004 | 550,000 | 426,075 | 9,160 | 230,000 | 54,650 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Group Vice
President, |
2003 | 510,000 | 440,000 | 10,289 | 230,000 | 50,909 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brewing,
Operations and |
2002 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 5,501 | 225,000 | 39,354 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Technology,
Anheuser- |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Busch,
Incorporated |
(1) | Salary and bonus amounts include any amounts deferred under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Officers who defer salary or bonus are credited with returns based on market rates. The table does not include any such returns. |
(2) | The Company owns corporate aircraft and corporate residences.
Subject to compliance with written Company policies, Company personnel, including executive officers, using the corporate aircraft or corporate
residences for business purposes are permitted to invite family members or other guests to accompany them on the aircraft or to join them in the use of
the corporate residences. The Company does not incur any additional incremental costs as a result of such accompaniment or use and the table above does
not include any amount for these arrangements. These arrangements are included in the compensation of the Company personnel as required by tax law. The Company also allows Company executives, including the executive officers, to use corporate residences for personal use when the residences are not needed for business purposes. Executives pay a fee to cover the incremental costs to the Company and any excess of the fair market value over that cost is considered additional compensation to the executive for tax purposes. The Company believes Mr. Busch III and his family are subject to security risks as a result of his employment and association with the Company and has concluded that it is appropriate to provide security protection for them at his home. Since the Company does not consider the security arrangements to be compensatory, and the need for them arises from his business duties, the costs are not reflected in the table above. As a result of the security arrangements for Mr. Busch III, the Company incurred incremental costs of approximately $243,000 in 2004, $237,000 in 2003 and $230,000 in 2002. |
23
(3) | The 2004 amounts disclosed in this column include: |
(a) |
Company matching contributions and certain other allocations under certain defined contribution and deferred compensation plans of $120,216 for Mr. Stokes, $49,512 for Mr. Busch III, $72,942 for Mr. Busch IV, $48,198 for Mr. Baker, $47,650 for Mr. Lambright and $44,703 for Mr. Muhleman. |
(b) |
Payments in connection with life and accidental death insurance coverage of $23,430 for Mr. Stokes, $39,180 for Mr. Busch III, $4,880 for Mr. Busch IV, $15,925 for Mr. Baker, $14,239 for Mr. Lambright and $8,747 for Mr. Muhleman. |
(c) |
Payment of director fees and awards from subsidiary or affiliated companies of $2,500 for Mr. Stokes, $8,460 for Mr. Busch III, $5,480 for Mr. Lambright, and $1,200 for Mr. Muhleman. |
(d) |
Payment of a fee of $51,250 to Mr. Lambright in December 2004 for post-retirement consulting services. |
(4) | Mr. Lambright retired from the Company effective December 2, 2004. A description of his post-retirement consulting agreement appears on page 29. |
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return*
Anheuser-Busch Companies,
Inc., S&P 500 Index
and Russell Top 200 Index**
(12/31/99-12/31/04)
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anheuser-Busch |
$ | 100.0 | $ | 130.5 | $ | 131.7 | $ | 143.2 | $ | 158.4 | $ | 155.3 | ||||||||||||||
S&P
500 |
100.0 | 90.9 | 80.1 | 62.5 | 80.4 | 89.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Russell Top 200
Index |
100.0 | 87.9 | 75.1 | 57.5 | 72.9 | 78.9 |
* | Assumes $100 invested on December 31 of first year of chart in Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Common Stock, S&P 500 Index, and the Russell Top 200 Index and that all dividends were reinvested. |
** | The Company has elected to compare shareholder returns with the Russell Top 200 Index because only one of the other two leading domestic brewers was independent and domestically based during the survey period. (As a result of the recent merger between Adolph Coors Company and Molson Inc., Anheuser-Busch has become the sole remaining leading brewer that is independent and domestically based.) The Russell Top 200 Index is comprised of the 200 largest publicly held United States companies, including Anheuser-Busch, based on market capitalization. |
*** | Compound Annual Growth Rate. |
24
Option Grants in 2004
Individual Grants(1) |
Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term(2) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Options Granted (#) |
% of Total Options Granted to Employees in 2004(3) |
Exercise Price ($/sh) |
Expiration Date |
0%(4) |
5% |
10% |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
P. T.
Stokes |
900,000 | 6.36 | 50.285 | 11/23/14 | $0 | $ | 28,461,570 | $ | 72,127,206 | |||||||||||||||||||||
A. A. Busch
III |
450,000 | 3.18 | 50.285 | 11/23/14 | 0 | 14,230,785 | 36,063,603 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
A. A. Busch
IV |
500,000 | 3.54 | 50.285 | 11/23/14 | 0 | 15,811,983 | 40,070,670 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
W. R.
Baker |
300,000 | 2.12 | 50.285 | 11/23/14 | 0 | 9,487,190 | 24,042,402 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
S. K.
Lambright |
225,000 | 1.59 | 50.285 | 12/02/09 | 0 | 3,125,884 | 6,907,386 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
D. J.
Muhleman |
230,000 | 1.63 | 50.285 | 11/23/14 | 0 | 7,273,512 | 18,432,508 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
All
Shareholders |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | 24,876,760,700 | 63,042,595,591 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
All
Employee Optionees |
14,077,881 | 100.0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 445,198,439 | 1,128,220,248 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Employee
Optionee Gain as % of All Shareholders Gain |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1.8 | % | 1.8 | % |
(1) | All options granted to the named officers were granted on November 24, 2004. The options become exercisable in three equal parts on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the grant date; however, the Compensation Committee is authorized to accelerate exercisability at any time, and acceleration occurs automatically in the event of the optionees death, disability, or retirement (under certain circumstances), or if certain events occur which would result in a change in control of the Company. The one-third of the 2004 grant which normally would become exercisable on November 24, 2005 was made eligible for earlier vesting if transferred in gifts to certain family members, trusts, or partnerships. Transfers to family members, trusts, or partnerships will not reduce or defer (i) the compensation income that an optionee would otherwise recognize from an exercise of the options or (ii) the Companys tax deduction that would otherwise result from the option exercise. A tax payment feature allows the use of option stock to pay the minimum withholding taxes related to an option exercise. The number of options granted with the tax payment feature in 2004 to the named officers were: Mr. Stokes, 898,012; Mr. Busch III, 448,012; Mr. Busch IV, 498,012; Mr. Baker, 298,012; Mr. Lambright, 223,012; and Mr. Muhleman, 228,012. |
(2) | The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations at 0% and at the 5% and 10% rates set by the SEC and therefore are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, of the Companys stock price. Potential realizable values for all shareholders are based on 786,642,644 shares outstanding at November 30, 2004 and a per share price of $50.285, which represents the fair market value of the Companys stock on the date of the grants. |
(3) | Based on 14,077,881 options granted to 2,800 employees during 2004. |
(4) | No gain to the optionees is possible without an increase in stock price, which will benefit all stockholders. A zero percent stock price appreciation will result in zero dollars for the optionees. |
25
Aggregated Option Exercises in 2004 and 2004 Year-End Option Values
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options at 12/31/04 (#) |
Value of In-the-Money Options at 12/31/04 ($)(1)(2) |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized ($)(1) |
Exercisable/ Unexercisable |
Exercisable/ Unexercisable |
||||||||||||||
P. T.
Stokes |
8,036 | 320,970 | 4,669,496 | / | 36,937,775 | / | ||||||||||||
2,254,198 | 919,301 | |||||||||||||||||
A. A. Busch
III |
376,668 | 8,232,531 | 4,123,401 | / | 29,740,736 | / | ||||||||||||
1,283,331 | 559,749 | |||||||||||||||||
A. A. Busch
IV |
70,000 | 1,638,320 | 1,050,035 | / | 4,654,087 | / | ||||||||||||
1,066,665 | 432,499 | |||||||||||||||||
W. R.
Baker |
64,360 | 2,410,592 | 1,660,415 | / | 22,910,812 | / | ||||||||||||
616,665 | 259,499 | |||||||||||||||||
S. K.
Lambright |
0 | 0 | 1,579,395 | / | 11,758,600 | / | ||||||||||||
0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
D. J.
Muhleman |
70,277 | 2,298,004 | 790,523 | / | 7,316,935 | / | ||||||||||||
458,332 | 197,399 |
(1) | Value before income taxes payable as a result of exercise. |
(2) | Based on the average of the high and low price of the Companys common stock on the New York Stock ExchangeComposite Transactions for 12/31/04 ($50.84). |
Pension Plans Table
Years of Service |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eligible Remuneration |
5 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 or More |
|||||||||||||||||||||
$ 500,000 |
$ | 41,667 | $ | 83,333 | $ | 125,000 | $ | 166,667 | $ | 208,333 | $ | 250,000 | |||||||||||||||
1,000,000 |
83,333 | 166,667 | 250,000 | 333,333 | 416,667 | 500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
1,500,000 |
125,000 | 250,000 | 375,000 | 500,000 | 625,000 | 750,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2,000,000 |
166,667 | 333,333 | 500,000 | 666,667 | 833,333 | 1,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2,500,000 |
208,334 | 416,667 | 625,000 | 833,333 | 1,041,667 | 1,250,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
3,000,000 |
250,000 | 500,000 | 750,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,250,000 | 1,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
3,500,000 |
291,667 | 583,333 | 875,000 | 1,166,667 | 1,458,333 | 1,750,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
4,000,000 |
333,333 | 666,667 | 1,000,000 | 1,333,333 | 1,666,667 | 2,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
4,500,000 |
375,000 | 750,000 | 1,125,000 | 1,500,000 | 1,875,000 | 2,250,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
5,000,000 |
416,668 | 833,334 | 1,250,000 | 1,666,666 | 2,083,334 | 2,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
5,500,000 |
458,333 | 916,667 | 1,375,000 | 1,833,333 | 2,291,667 | 2,750,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
6,000,000 |
500,000 | 1,000,000 | 1,500,000 | 2,000,000 | 2,500,000 | 3,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
6,500,000 |
541,667 | 1,083,333 | 1,625,000 | 2,166,667 | 2,708,333 | 3,250,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7,000,000 |
583,333 | 1,166,667 | 1,750,000 | 2,333,333 | 2,916,667 | 3,500,000 |
26
Change in Control Arrangements
Equity Compensation Plans
Plan Category |
Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options |
Number of Shares of Common Stock Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Shares to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options) |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders(1) |
91,741,974 | $ | 43.92 | 1,973,426 | |||||||||||
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders(2) |
114,665 | $ | 50.24 | 834,049 | |||||||||||
Total |
91,856,639 | $ | 43.93 | 2,807,475 |
(1) | The 1989 Incentive Stock Plan, the 1998 Incentive Stock Plan, and the Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors. |
(2) | The Global Employee Stock Plan (Global Plan), which authorizes the Company to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock to permanent employees of the Company and its subsidiaries located outside of the United States who elect to participate. The Global Plan is designed to encourage savings and ownership of Company shares, and was begun in 1999. Under the Global Plan, participants elect to have a portion of their cash compensation withheld in special savings accounts each payroll period. Each year, generally on March 1, each participant is offered up to 200 shares at the market price on the offer date. If the market price later rises above the fixed offer price, the offer may be accepted for up to three years from the offer date. If accepted, payment for the shares purchased must come from the participants special savings account and no other source. A participant may sell purchased shares on designated sale dates. If a participant retains purchased shares in his or her account for at least two years, the Company awards additional shares based on the number of retained shares; the amount of additional shares ranges from 10% to 50%, depending on the Companys business performance. Participants generally may elect to reinvest dividends on purchased shares, but reinvestment shares are not entitled to additional awards. |
27
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS INVOLVING DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, OR THEIR ASSOCIATES
28
2004. The distribution agreements with these wholesalerships are ABIs standard distribution agreements. PricewaterhouseCoopers performs procedures every year designed to determine if these wholesalerships obtain treatment or special terms from ABI different from that available to all other independent wholesalers. PricewaterhouseCoopers findings are reported each year to the Boards Conflict of Interest Committee.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
29
Stockholder Proposals for 2006
Stockholder Communications With Board
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
30
Appendix A
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
GUIDELINES
1. Size of Board of Directors
2. Board Membership Criteria
3. Selection of Chairman
4. Term Limits
A-1
5. Retirement of Board Members
6. Directors Who Change Their Present Job Responsibility
7. No Specific Limitation on Other Board Service
8. Director Orientation and Continuing Education
|
The Company has employed the director in any capacity or the Company has employed any of the directors immediate family members as an executive officer. |
|
The director or any of the directors immediate family members has received more than $100,000 per year in direct compensation from the Company (excluding director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service and compensation paid to a family member for service as a non-executive employee of the Company). |
|
(i) the director or an immediate family member is a current partner of a firm that is the Companys internal or external auditor; (ii) the director is a current employee of such a firm; (iii) the director has an immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and who participates in the firms audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not tax planning) practice; or (iv) the director or immediate family member was within the last three years (but is no longer) a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on the listed companys audit within that time. |
A-2
|
The director has been part of an interlocking directorate in which an executive officer of the Company serves on the compensation committee of another company for which the director or any of the directors immediate family members is an executive officer. |
|
The director is an executive officer or an employee, or any of the directors immediate family members is an executive officer, of a for profit organization that has made payments to, or received payments from, the Company for property or services in an amount that, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of $1 million or 2% of such organizations consolidated gross revenues. |
|
The director or any member of the directors immediate family is employed by, an officer of or affiliated with any for profit organization that has made or received non-significant payments to or from the Company. For the purposes of this categorical standard, a payment will be considered to be non-significant if it represents less than (i) 1% of the gross revenues of the for profit organization for its last full fiscal year, and (ii) 1% of the Companys gross revenues for its last full fiscal year. |
|
The director is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of a foundation, university or other non-profit organization to which the Company gives directly, or indirectly through its foundations, no more than $500,000 per annum or 2% of the organizations gross revenues for its last full fiscal year (whichever is greater). |
|
The director receives fees for service as the Companys representative or the representative of the Board of Directors on the board of directors of subsidiary or affiliated companies paid by the Company or such subsidiary or affiliated companies. |
1. Frequency of Meetings
2. Selection of Agenda Items
3. Distribution of Materials
4. Attendance of Non-Directors
5. Access to Management and Advisers
A-3
6. Separate Sessions of Non-Management Directors
1. Number and Names of Board Committees
Audit Committee Compensation Committee Conflict of Interest Committee Corporate Governance Committee Executive Committee Finance Committee Pension Committee |
2. Independence of Committee Members
3. Committee Agendas
4. Assignment of Committee Members
A-4
Performance Evaluation; Succession Planning; Stock Ownership by Executive
Officers;
Communications to Board Members
1. Management Succession
2. Evaluation
3. Stock Ownership by Executive Officers
4. Communications to Board Members
Other Policies
1. Confidential Voting
2. Shareholder Rights Plan
A-5
Appendix B
ANHEUSER-BUSCH
OFFICER BONUS PLAN
(as amended on April 26, 2000 and
April 27, 2005)
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS
2.1. |
Affiliate: Any entity in which the Company has a substantial direct or indirect equity interest. |
2.2. |
Board: The Board of Directors of the Company. |
2.3. |
Bonus: The amount payable to any Participant with respect to a Program. |
2.4. |
Change in Control: A change in control as that term is defined in Section 10. |
2.5. |
Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder. |
2.6. |
Committee: The Committee described in Section 9. |
2.7. |
Company: Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. |
2.8. |
Covered Employee: A covered employee as that term is defined in Section 5. |
2.9. |
Eligible Employee: A person who is eligible to participate in the Plan in accordance with Section 5. |
2.10. |
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder. |
2.11. |
Participant: An Eligible Employee who is designated as a Participant in a Program pursuant to Section 5. |
2.12. |
Performance Goal: A Performance Goal as defined in Section 6. |
2.13. |
Performance Period: A fiscal year of the Company or such shorter period as the Committee may designate in accordance with Section 4 with respect to which Bonuses may be paid under a Program. |
2.14. |
Plan: The Anheuser-Busch Officer Bonus Plan, as amended from time to time. |
2.15. |
Program: A Bonus Program established by the Committee which designates the Participants, the Covered Employees, a Performance Period, Performance Goals, and formulas or standards for determining the amounts of Bonuses payable under the Plan. |
SECTION 3. BONUS PROGRAMS
SECTION 4. PERFORMANCE PERIODS
B-1
SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY, PARTICIPATION AND COVERED EMPLOYEES
SECTION 6. PERFORMANCE CRITERIA AND GOALS
SECTION 7. AMOUNT OF BONUS
SECTION 8. PAYMENT OF BONUSES
SECTION 9. ADMINISTRATION BY COMMITTEE
B-2
SECTION 10. CHANGE IN CONTROL
10.1. |
Change in Control Defined. For purposes of this Plan, a Change in Control shall occur if: |
(a) |
Any Person (as defined herein) becomes the beneficial owner directly or indirectly (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the Companys then outstanding voting securities (measured on the basis of voting power); |
(b) |
The stockholders of the Company approve a definitive agreement to merge or consolidate the Company with any other corporation, other than an agreement providing for (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities; |
(c) |
A change occurs in the composition of the Board during any period of twenty-four consecutive months such that individuals who at the beginning of such period were members of the Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Companys stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved; or |
(d) |
The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Companys assets. |
10.2. |
Acceleration Upon Change in Control. On the date a Change in Control occurs, notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, (i) all Bonuses with respect to a completed Performance Period shall be immediately payable in cash, (ii) with respect to the current Performance Period, such Performance Period shall be deemed to have ended and the applicable Performance Goal(s) and formula(s) or standard(s) shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the length of such Performance Period in comparison to the originally established Performance Period, and all Bonuses for such Performance Period shall be immediately payable in cash on a pro-rated basis, (iii) the Committee shall not have the discretion provided in Section 7 to reduce the amount of any Participants Bonus below the amount which would otherwise have been payable to the Participant under the applicable formula or standard and under this Section 10, and (iv) the provisions of this Section 10 may not be amended adversely to any Participant without the written consent of such Participant. If by reason of this Section 10 an excise or other special tax (Excise Tax) is imposed on any payment under the Plan (a Required Payment), the amount of each Required Payment shall be increased by an amount which, after payment of income taxes, payroll taxes and Excise Tax thereon, will equal such Excise Tax on the Required Payment; provided, however that the total amount paid to any Covered Employee shall not exceed the maximum set forth in Section 7 unless exceeding such maximum, or a provision allowing Bonuses to exceed such maximum, would not jeopardize qualification of all Bonuses to Covered Employees under the Plan as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. |
B-3
SECTION 11. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS
12.1. |
Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective as of January 1, 1995. |
12.2. |
No Guarantee of Employment or Compensation. The Plan shall not restrict the Company or any Affiliate from discharging an Eligible Employee from employment, restrict any Eligible Employee from resigning from such employment, or restrict the Company or any Affiliate from increasing or decreasing the compensation of any Eligible Employee. |
12.3. |
Claims. Except in the case of a Change in Control, no person shall have any claim to any Bonus. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Employees. |
12.4. |
No Alienation. Except as required by law, amounts payable under the Plan shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, charge, garnishment, execution, or levy of any kind, either voluntary or involuntary. |
12.5. |
Other Incentive Plans. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prohibit the Company from granting other performance awards to employees (including Eligible Employees) under such conditions, and in such form and manner, as it sees fit. The adoption of the Plan does not preclude the adoption of any other bonus or incentive plan for employees. |
12.6. |
Governing Law. Subject to the provisions of applicable federal law, the Plan shall be administered, construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Missouri and in Courts situated in that State. |
12.7. |
Severability. The invalidity of any particular clause, provision or covenant herein shall not invalidate all or any part of the remainder of the Plan, but such remainder shall be and remain valid in all respects as fully as the law will permit. |
B-4
Appendix C
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
1998 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
(Restated to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split effective September 18, 2000,
and
amendments effective April 25, 2001, April 23, 2003, and April 27, 2005)
SECTION 1. PURPOSE.
SECTION 2. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES.
SECTION 3. ELIGIBILITY.
C-1
SECTION 4. GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO AWARDS.
C-2
SECTION 5. OPTIONS AND SARS.
SECTION 6. LIMITED RIGHTS.
SECTION 7. RESTRICTED STOCK.
C-3
SECTION 8. STOCK ISSUANCE, PAYMENT, AND WITHHOLDING.
SECTION 9. FORFEITURES.
C-4
Forfeiture provisions for one Award type may differ from those for another type, and also may differ among Awards of the same type granted at different times or to Recipients in different circumstances. As used in this Plan, a forfeiture of an Award includes the recapture of Stock issued or other economic benefits derived from an Award, as well as the forfeiture of an Award itself; however, the Committee may define the term more narrowly for specific Award Documents.
SECTION 10. ADJUSTMENTS AND ACQUISITIONS.
unless such action(s) by the Committee are made subject to stockholder approval and are so approved by the stockholders.
C-5
SECTION 11. ACCELERATION AND VESTING.
SECTION 12. ADMINISTRATION.
C-6
SECTION 13. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.
C-7
SECTION 14. DEFINITIONS.
C-8
SECTION 15. MISCELLANEOUS.
C-9
C-10
Appendix D
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
|
A system of internal controls is maintained throughout the
Company which protects the assets of the Company and provides the proper authorization and recording of transactions such that the financial
information is reliable and materially accurate; and |
|
Financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. |
1. Charter Review
2. Selection of Independent Auditors
D-1
3. Auditor Evaluation
|
Receive and review required communications from the independent auditors on an annual basis, including a formal written statement pertaining to the independent auditors independence and matters required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. Discuss such information with the independent auditors and take appropriate action as deemed necessary to satisfy itself of such independence. |
|
Discuss annually with the independent auditors a report outlining their internal quality control procedures, including material issues, if any, cited in the most recent quality-control review, whether an internal review or peer review. Also obtain and discuss a report pertaining to any investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years concerning independent audits carried out by the firm, including resolution of any issues. |
|
Review, in consultation with management, the terms of the engagement of the independent auditors, including the scope of their audit and qualifications of their personnel. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for determining the compensation of the independent auditors. |
|
Pre-approve all services (and related fees) provided by the Companys independent auditors and prohibit the independent auditors from performing any service that is prohibited under NYSE or SEC auditor independence rules. |
|
Discuss with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, relating to the conduct of the audit. |
|
Receive required communications from the independent auditors including, as necessary, information regarding the timetable for the rotation of partners under SEC requirements. |
|
Discuss with the independent auditors the quality of the Companys financial accounting personnel, and any relevant recommendations of the independent auditors. |
|
Discuss with management and the Vice President Internal Audit their opinions regarding the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditors. |
|
Establish clear hiring policies for employees and former employees of the independent auditors and monitor managements compliance with the policy. |
4. Matters Pertaining to the Vice President Internal Audit
|
Review and concur in the appointment, replacement, reassignment or dismissal of the Vice President Internal Audit. |
|
Review with the Vice President Internal Audit the planned internal audit activities and the results of such internal audit activities. |
|
Review the significant reports to management prepared by the Vice President Internal Audit, and managements response. |
|
Review with the Vice President Internal Audit the adequacy of the Companys system of internal accounting and financial controls. |
|
Review with the Vice President Internal Audit managements oversight of compliance with the Companys policies and procedures to the extent these could have a significant impact on operations and financial reports. |
|
Discuss with the independent auditors the responsibilities of the Companys internal audit department. |
5. Matters Pertaining to Filings with Government Agencies
D-2
|
Review with the independent auditors and management the
Companys Form 10-K prior to filing with the SEC and if satisfied, recommend to the full Board that the audited financial statements be included
in the 10-K. |
|
Prepare the Audit Committee Report required by the Rules of the SEC to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement. |
|
Review the results of each quarterly review by the independent auditors before the filing of the Companys Form 10-Q with the SEC. |
6. Financial Reporting
|
Review with management and the independent auditors the Companys annual and quarterly financial statements, including disclosures contained in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Operations and Financial Condition. |
|
Review with management and the independent auditors both the adequacy and quality of the Companys financial accounting and reporting policies. The Audit Committee shall also review the potential impact of significant regulatory or accounting rule-making initiatives on the financial statements. |
|
Review with management and the independent auditors any significant issues regarding the application of accounting principles and financial statement presentation, including changes in the selection or application of accounting principles. |
|
Review the format and types of information provided in earnings press releases, as well as financial information or earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies, paying particular attention to the use of pro forma or any other non-GAAP measures. |
|
Review, in connection with its review of the annual financial statements, an analysis prepared by management and the independent auditors of significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Companys financial statements, including the impact of applying alternative accounting methods available under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. |
|
Review with the independent auditors and management the Companys Critical Accounting Policies, as defined by the SEC, including an assessment regarding the adequacy of the Companys disclosures. |
|
Review the impact on the financial statements of the Company of any off-balance-sheet structures or related party or other similar transactions that may have an impact on the financial statements. |
|
Review with the independent auditors and management the results of the independent auditors year-end audit, including any problems or difficulties encountered by the independent auditors, managements response to any audit findings and areas of significant disagreement, if any, between management and the independent auditors. |
7. Controls
|
Review with management, the independent auditors and the Vice President Internal Audit their separate opinions as to the adequacy and effectiveness of the Companys system of internal accounting controls, including any significant issues noted regarding the adequacy of controls and special audit steps, if any, adopted to address these issues. Also review with management, the independent auditors and the Vice President Internal Audit the independent auditors Annual Report on Internal Controls and managements response thereto. |
|
Review the Companys procedures with respect to accounting and financial controls, including changes in auditing and/or accounting principles, practices and procedures. |
|
Review with management the Companys major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, mitigate and control such exposures. |
D-3
8. Fraud and Illegal Acts
|
Receive and review reports regarding fraud involving senior management and any fraud that causes a material misstatement of the financial statements. |
|
Review reports of illegal acts that are not clearly inconsequential that have come to the independent auditors attention in the course of their audits. Ensure, in such cases, that management has taken timely and appropriate actions regarding reported illegal acts that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
9. Other Responsibilities
|
Periodically, the Audit Committee will meet separately with
representatives from the independent auditors, Vice President Internal Audit and management. |
|
Review with the Companys Chief Legal Officer legal matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements, any material reports or inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies, and other legal matters as appropriate. |
|
Accept, evaluate and respond to, in a manner deemed appropriate by the Audit Committee, any reports made by the attorneys of the Company pursuant to their obligations under the SECs Attorney Professional Responsibilities rules. |
|
Receive reports from the Environmental Health and Safety Policy Committee regarding the performance of its responsibilities under the charter and implementation and compliance with the Companys environmental policies and discuss with management any concerns the Audit Committee may have with regard to the Companys environmental practices. |
|
Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
10. Matters Pertaining to the Effectiveness and Performance of the
Audit Committee
11. General Powers
|
The Audit Committee may conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within the scope of the Committees responsibilities. |
|
To carry out and effectuate the purposes of the foregoing resolutions, the Audit Committee shall have authority it deems necessary to confer with the Companys independent auditors, Vice President Internal Audit and officers and to conduct or authorize investigations. The Audit Committee shall have the authority to retain independent legal, accounting or other consultants to advise the Committee. |
|
The Company will authorize adequate funding, as determined solely by the Audit Committee, to pay the fees and expenses of the independent auditors and any consultants engaged by the Audit Committee and to meet any ordinary administrative costs of the Audit Committee in carrying out its duties. |
As Amended on February 23, 2005
D-4
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
P.O. BOX 3314
SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606
YOU CAN VOTE IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
VOTE BY MAIL
IF YOU WISH TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, HAVE YOUR PROXY CARD IN HAND.
THANK YOU FOR VOTING
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: | ABSCH1 | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY | ||
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
The Board of Directors recommends a | ||||||||||
vote FOR Item 1. | ||||||||||
1. |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | For All |
Withhold All |
For All Except |
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark For All Except and write the nominees number
on the line below. |
|||||
01) John E. Jacob | ||||||||||
02) Charles F. Knight | ||||||||||
03) Joyce M. Roche | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | |||||||
04) Henry Hugh Shelton | ||||||||||
05) Patrick T. Stokes | ||||||||||
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 2, 3, and 4. | For | Against | Abstain | |||||||
2. |
APPROVE THE OFFICER BONUS PLAN, AS AMENDED | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||
3. |
APPROVE THE 1998 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN, AS AMENDED | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||
4. |
APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||
Yes | No | |||||||||
Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears above; in the case of
shares held by joint owners, all joint owners should sign; fiduciaries should indicate title and authority.) |
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date | Signature (Joint Owners) | Date |
PLEASE ADMIT STOCKHOLDER LISTED ON REVERSE SIDE | NON-TRANSFERABLE |
ADMISSION TICKET
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
April 27, 2005, 10:00 A.M. (local time) at The Kingsmill Resort and Conference Center,
1010 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia
6 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 6
PROXY
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
This Proxy Solicited on Behalf of The Board of Directors
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The person(s) signing this proxy form hereby appoints August A. Busch III, Patrick T. Stokes, and JoBeth G. Brown as proxies, each with the power of substitution and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this form, all of the shares of stock that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. to be held at The Kingsmill Resort and Conference Center, 1010 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, on April 27, 2005 at 10:00 A.M. local time and at any adjournments thereof.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER INDICATED BY THE STOCKHOLDER. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH INDICATION, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS IN ITEM 1 AND FOR ITEMS 2, 3, AND 4. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE DISCRETION OF SAID PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
(Be sure to sign and date the reverse side of this form)
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
P.O. BOX 3314
SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606
YOU CAN VOTE IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
VOTE BY MAIL
IF YOU WISH TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, HAVE YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD IN HAND.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: | ABSCH3 | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY | ||
THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
The Board of Directors recommends a | ||||||||||
vote FOR Item 1. | ||||||||||
1. |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | For All |
Withhold All |
For All Except |
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark For All Except and write the nominees number
on the line below. |
|||||
01) John E. Jacob | ||||||||||
02) Charles F. Knight | ||||||||||
03) Joyce M. Roche | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | |||||||
04) Henry Hugh Shelton | ||||||||||
05) Patrick T. Stokes | ||||||||||
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 2, 3, and 4. | For | Against | Abstain | |||||||
2. |
APPROVE THE OFFICER BONUS PLAN, AS AMENDED | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||
3. |
APPROVE THE 1998 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN, AS AMENDED | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||
4. |
APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||
Yes | No | |||||||||
Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears above.) |
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date |
PLEASE ADMIT STOCKHOLDER LISTED ON REVERSE SIDE |
NON-TRANSFERABLE |
ADMISSION TICKET
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
April 27, 2005, 10:00 A.M. (local time) at
The Kingsmill Resort and Conference Center,
1010 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia
To Participants in the Anheuser-Busch Deferred Income Stock Purchase and Savings Plans
Enclosed with this voting instruction form are the notice and proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. which will be held on April 27, 2005. The number of shares shown on this voting instruction form represents the number of shares with respect to which you are entitled to direct the voting because of an account under one or more of these plans. In order for these shares to be voted by the trustee of the plan(s) in accordance with your confidential instructions, ADP must receive your voting instructions by no later than April 22, 2005. If your voting instructions are not received by April 22, 2005, shares as to which you are entitled to direct voting will be voted by the plan trustee in accordance with instructions from the plans investment committee.
Your interest in a plan which is invested in the Company stock fund is measured in terms of share equivalents. The share equivalents closely approximate the number of shares to which you are entitled to direct the voting.
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please mark the appropriate box on this voting instruction form. Present this ticket to the Anheuser-Busch representative at the entrance to the meeting. Keep in mind that you will not be able to vote any plan shares at the meeting; only the plan trustee can vote these shares as described below.
Each stockholder may be asked to present
valid picture identification, such as drivers license
or employee identification badge, in addition to this admission ticket.
6 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 6
VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
These Confidential Voting Instructions are
Solicited on Behalf of
The Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The undersigned hereby directs the Trustee of the Anheuser-Busch Deferred Income Stock Purchase and Savings Plans to authorize the proxies (a) to vote as indicated on the reverse side of this form and (b) to vote, in their discretion, upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting hereafter described, in each case with respect to all of the shares of stock for which the undersigned is entitled to direct the voting under these plans. Such votes are to be cast at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. to be held at The Kingsmill Resort and Conference Center, 1010 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, on April 27, 2005, at 10:00 A.M. local time and at any adjournments thereof.
WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED,
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER INDICATED BY THE PLAN PARTICIPANT, AND IN
THE ABSENCE OF SUCH INDICATION, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED BY THE TRUSTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PLANS INVESTMENT
COMMITTEE.
March 10, 2005
Dear Shareholder,
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. to be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Your proxy card and voting instructions are included with this letter. Previously you elected to view proxy materials over the Internet; therefore, we did not include the proxy statement and annual report in the package. Please access our web site at www.anheuser-busch.com (click on Financial Info) to read these important documents. If you have changed your mind and prefer to receive a copy of the proxy statement or annual report, you may call Mellon Investor Services (toll-free) at 1-888-213-0964 and one will be mailed to you.
After you have read the proxy statement, refer to the enclosed instructions for voting by telephone, Internet, or mail.
Thank you for voting and thank you for your investment in Anheuser-Busch.
Sincerely,
JoBeth G. Brown
Vice President and Secretary
Enclosures
April 7, 2005
Dear Stockholder(s):
The time is approaching for the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. on April 27, 2005, and our vote tabulator has not received your Proxy.
It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting. PLEASE VOTE IN ONE OF THE THREE WAYS AS DESCRIBED ON THE ATTACHED DUPLICATE PROXY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Sincerely, |
|
JoBeth
G. Brown |
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
P.O. BOX 3314
SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606
YOU CAN VOTE IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
VOTE BY MAIL
IF YOU WISH TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, HAVE YOUR PROXY CARD IN HAND.
THANK YOU FOR VOTING
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: | ABSCH1 | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY | ||
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
The Board of Directors recommends a | ||||||||||
vote FOR Item 1. | ||||||||||
1. |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | For All |
Withhold All |
For All Except |
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark For All Except and write the nominees number
on the line below. |
|||||
01) John E. Jacob | ||||||||||
02) Charles F. Knight | ||||||||||
03) Joyce M. Roche | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | |||||||
04) Henry Hugh Shelton | ||||||||||
05) Patrick T. Stokes | ||||||||||
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 2, 3, and 4. | For | Against | Abstain | |||||||
2. |
APPROVE THE OFFICER BONUS PLAN, AS AMENDED | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||
3. |
APPROVE THE 1998 INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN, AS AMENDED | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||
4. |
APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | ¡ | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||
Yes | No | |||||||||
Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting | ¡ | ¡ | ||||||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears above; in the case of
shares held by joint owners, all joint owners should sign; fiduciaries should indicate title and authority.) |
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date | Signature (Joint Owners) | Date |
PLEASE ADMIT STOCKHOLDER LISTED ON REVERSE SIDE | NON-TRANSFERABLE |
ADMISSION TICKET
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
April 27, 2005, 10:00 A.M. (local time) at The Kingsmill Resort and Conference Center,
1010 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia
6 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 6
PROXY
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
This Proxy Solicited on Behalf of The Board of Directors
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The person(s) signing this proxy form hereby appoints August A. Busch III, Patrick T. Stokes, and JoBeth G. Brown as proxies, each with the power of substitution and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this form, all of the shares of stock that the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. to be held at The Kingsmill Resort and Conference Center, 1010 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, on April 27, 2005 at 10:00 A.M. local time and at any adjournments thereof.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER INDICATED BY THE STOCKHOLDER. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH INDICATION, SUCH SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS IN ITEM 1 AND FOR ITEMS 2, 3, AND 4. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE DISCRETION OF SAID PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
(Be sure to sign and date the reverse side of this form)