Caterpillar 'rings in' NYSE anniversary on Friday

PEORIA, Ill. -- To mark the 80th anniversary of Caterpillar Inc. being publicly traded on the world's foremost securities marketplace, chairman and CEO Jim Owens rang the opening bell Friday on the New York Stock Exchange. The NYSE is considered the world's foremost securities marketplace, and Caterpillar is among the two percent of companies that have been listed on the NYSE for more than 80 years.

"For decades, our customers have counted on Caterpillar products to help them achieve success in their businesses," Owens said. "Caterpillar has also forged a strong reputation with stockholders for performance and financial strength in both good times and challenging environments such as those facing the global economy during the past year.

"We have made dividend payments to our stockholders for 305 consecutive quarters, starting in November 1933, and to celebrate 80 years as a listed company on the NYSE is a mark few companies achieve, and it is a tribute to Team Caterpillar."

Caterpillar also gave traders and others in New York the opportunity to get an up- close look at some Caterpillar machines. The company had a display in front of the NYSE that included a mini hydraulic excavator and a multi-terrain loader. Both machines are utilized by Caterpillar customers in a wide range of applications, including urban environments where their smaller size and flexibility make them ideally suited for construction and other work. The No. 31 Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton during the 2009 Cup Series season was also part of the display.