BASF satisfied with 1995 financial year.

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 1996--BASF Group sales totalled DM 46,229 million in 1995 (prior year DM 43,674 million). Pre-tax earnings amounted to DM 4,128 million (prior year DM 2,111 million). Earnings after taxes and minority interests represented a net income of DM 2,471 million (prior year DM 1,284 million).

BASF Aktiengesellschaft achieved sales of DM 21,061 million (prior year DM 19,257 million) and pre-tax earnings of DM 2,301 million (prior year DM 1,455 million). After-tax earnings represented a net income of DM 1,354 million (prior year DM 910 million).

At the Annual Meeting on May 9, 1996 the board of executive directors and supervisory board of BASF Aktiengesellschaft will propose to pay from the company's net income for the 1995 business year a dividend of DM 14.00 (prior year DM 10.00) per share, valued DM 50.00 at par. Since qualified German stock-holders are entitled to a tax credit of DM 6.00 per share, they will realize altogether DM 20.00 per share.

With DM 3,048.8 million in capital stock entitled to dividend, the dividend payout for 1995 under the proposal will total DM 854 million compared to DM 610 million in the preceding year. DM 500 million (prior year DM 300 million) will be appropriated to the revenue reserves of BASF Aktiengesellschaft.

That 1995 was a successful financial year for BASF is illustrated by the annual bonus paid to employees last November. It was 170 per cent of the gross monthly salary. -0-

in millions of DM
                                   1995          1994        Change
BASF Group

Sales                             46,229        43,674      +   5.9%
Profit before taxes                4,128         2,111      +  95.5%
Income taxes                       1,705           941      +  81.2%
Minority interests                   -48         - 114
Net income after taxes             2,471         1,284      +  92.4%

BASF Aktiengesellschaft

Sales                             21,061        19,257      +   9.4%
- Federal Republic of Germany      7,026         6,541      +   7.4%
- Exports                         14,035        12,716      +  10.4%

Profit before taxes                2,301         1,455      +  58.1%
Income taxes                         947           545      +  73.8%
Net income after taxes             1,354           910         48.8%

Appropriation of net income

 - Dividend                          854           610         40.0%
 - Transferred to revenue reserve    500           300         66.7%

CONTACT: BASF Corp.

Dr. Matthias Hensel

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