Caterpillar chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman rang the opening bell Dec. 22 on the New York Stock Exchange, marking the 85th anniversary of the company’s listing on the NYSE. Of the approximately 3,200 companies listed on the exchange, Caterpillar is among the 2 percent that have been listed for 85 years or more.
Caterpillar also displayed a mixer truck, wheel loader, skid-steer loader and backhoe loader in front of the NYSE.
“Not only are we celebrating 85 years on the NYSE this year, but next year we will also celebrate the 90th anniversary of Caterpillar as a company,” Oberhelman said. “Both milestones are a testament to the strength of our global brand, our dedication to customers and strong reputation with stockholders for financial strength and performance through the years. In 2014, the strength of our balance sheet and strong cash flow positioned Caterpillar to repurchase $4.2 billion in stock and to pay $1.6 billion in dividends. Caterpillar has paid a cash dividend every year since the company was formed in 1925 and has paid a quarterly dividend since 1933. We are proud of delivering that consistence and value over the decades.”
Caterpillar was first listed on the NYSE Dec. 2, 1929, under the name Caterpillar Tractor Co. The name was changed to Caterpillar Inc. in 1986. Caterpillar sales in 1929 were $52 million.
