Author: pr-moritz
Last saved by: Roland Birkhoff
Company: Bayer
Document comments: V-2023-02-28

Bayer plans to amend its dividend policy to reduce debt

Leverkusen, February 19, 2024 – Bayer AG plans to amend its dividend policy to pay out the legally required minimum for three years. This follows a review of the company’s capital allocation priorities to reduce debt. This change would result in a dividend of 0.11 euros per share for fiscal year 2023. The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board will present this dividend proposal for shareholder vote at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on April 26, 2024. 

This proposal comes as the company faces a high level of debt, coupled with high interest rates and a challenging free cash flow situation. “One of our top priorities is reducing debt and increasing flexibility,” said CEO Bill Anderson. “Our amended dividend policy, which considered investor input and was not taken lightly, will help us do so.” 

As previously communicated, the company is well underway in implementing a new operating model called “Dynamic Shared Ownership” worldwide, which will reduce hierarchies, eliminate bureaucracy, streamline structures and accelerate decision-making processes. The aim of the new operating model is to make the company much more agile and significantly improve its operational performance. This also includes significant job reductions. “All of these measures are necessary to position the company for future success. We are confident that our approach to deleveraging will benefit all stakeholders over the longer term,” Anderson said.

Contact for media inquiries:
Christian Hartel, phone +49 214 30-47686
Email: christian.hartel@bayer.com

Tino Andresen, phone +49 214 30-66048
Email: tino.andresen@bayer.com

Contact for investor inquiries:
Bayer Investor Relations Team, phone +49 214 30-72704
Email: ir@bayer.com 
www.bayer.com/en/investors/ir-team

Find more information at www.bayer.com.

tia/ha	(2024-0036E)

Forward-Looking Statements 
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.