UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 23, 2005
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Delaware 1-7823 43-1162835
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (IRS Employer
incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
One Busch Place, St. Louis, Missouri 63118
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 314-577-2000
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NONE
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
of the following provisions:
/ / Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230.425)
/ / Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
/ / Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
/ / Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On February 23, 2005, the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. (the "Company") approved the
2005 Officer Bonus Program (the "Program") in accordance with the
Anheuser-Busch Officer Bonus Plan (the "Plan") for certain officers of the
Company and Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated. Under the Program and consistent
with the objectives of the Plan, participants may receive cash bonuses if
certain performance goals are satisfied for the 2005 calendar year
performance period.
The Compensation Committee established a bonus pool, a minimum
performance goal, and a bonus formula for the Program, each of which is
based on the Company's adjusted pretax income for 2005. The bonus pool
percentage of pretax income is the same percentage as that established in
each year since the Plan was adopted in 1995. The minimum performance goal
and bonus formula are similar to those of each bonus program since 1995. The
aggregate amount of bonuses, or the bonus pool, for 2005 will not exceed
0.638% of the Company's adjusted pretax income for 2005. The performance
goal under the Program is the achievement by the Company of a specified
level of adjusted pretax income for 2005. Subject to plan limitations, the
maximum bonuses payable under the Program to eight senior executive officers
of the Company and Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated range from 5% to 25% of the
bonus pool, represent in the aggregate 79% of the bonus pool, and will be
payable only if the performance goal is achieved. In addition, bonuses
payable under the Program to the eight senior executive officers will be
payable only if the Company's shareholders approve the Plan in April 2005
and may be reduced at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Bonuses
payable under the Program to the remaining participants will equal 21% of
the bonus pool (or a higher percentage if the Compensation Committee reduces
the bonuses payable to such eight senior executive officers) and will be
payable at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
The Company intends to submit the Plan for shareholder approval at
the Company's 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and in connection
therewith will file the Plan as an exhibit to its proxy statement relating
to such meeting. The Program will be filed as an exhibit to Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
(Registrant)
BY: /s/ JoBeth G. Brown
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JoBeth G. Brown
Vice President and Secretary
February 24, 2005