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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
To give you a quick and easy overview of Siemens' most important facts and figures, you will find answers to frequently asked questions here – clearly organized according to topic. If your question is not included, click on the appropriate heading under "Investor Relations". Or feel free to contact us directly
Siemens AG was founded in its current form in 1966. Werner von Siemens (1816 - 1892) and Johann Georg Halske laid the foundation on October 1, 1847, when they established the "Telegraphen-Bauanstalt von Siemens & Halske" (Telegraph Construction Company of Siemens & Halske).
Siemens does business in around 190 countries throughout the world. Click here for a list of our worldwide locations: Siemens Worldwide
How is the Siemens Group structured?
Siemens' operations are organized into four Sectors and a total of 19 divisions. Click here for a detailed organizational chart.
What companies belong to the Siemens Group?
The internationally active Siemens Group includes a number of prestigious companies in a wide range of economic sectors. You can download a list of the companies in which Siemens had holdings at the end of the last fiscal year as a PDF file:
What values does Siemens pursue?
The following following values provide the foundation for Siemens:
- Responsible: Committed to ethical and responsible actions
- Excellent: Achieving high performance and excellent results
- Innovative: Being innovative to create sustainable value
For detailed information about the Siemens values and vision, please click here.
What products does Siemens develop and market?
Siemens offers a wide range of products, services and solutions. For a list of which ones, click here: Products, Solutions and Service
How many people does Siemens employ?
As of September 30, 2012, 370,000 people were working for Siemens AG throughout the world (continuing operations).
How much does Siemens invest in research and development (R&D)?
Siemens invested €4.2 billion in research and development in fiscal 2012 (continuing operations).
What accounting standards does Siemens use in calculating the financial statement?
Since October 1, 2006, Siemens' consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) as adopted by the EU and the additional requirements of German commercial law pursuant to § 315a Para. 1 HGB.
How do I order a copy of the current Annual Report?
Siemens' fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. Use the following link to place orders for the latest Annual Report that is approx. availale in December of each year.
How can I purchase Siemens shares?
You can purchase Siemens shares through a broker or a depository bank.
Where are Siemens shares listed?
In addition to the German stock exchanges, Siemens is listed on the London and Swiss stock exchanges. Since March 12, 2001, Siemens is also listed in the U.S. on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
When was the rearrangement from bearer shares to registered shares carried out?
The rearrangement to registered shares was carried out on August 16, 1999.
What is the par value of Siemens shares?
Siemens shares are shares without par value.
What indices is the Siemens share represented in?
The shares of Siemens AG are included in most share indicators; for example:
- DEUTSCHER AKTIENINDEX (DAX 30)
- S&P GLOBAL 100 INDEX
- Dow Jones STOXX Global 1800
- Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50
- Dow Jones EURO STOXX
- Dow Jones STOXX 50
- Dow Jones STOXX 600
- DOW JONES SUSTAINABILITY INDEX STOXX
Does Siemens have a share option plan?
The last tranche of the Stock Option Plan 2001 expired in November 2010. Since then, Siemens AG has had no active stock option plan in place and it has had no outstanding options.
The Company grants stock awards as a means for providing share-based compensation to members of the Managing Board, members of the senior management of Siemens AG and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries and other eligible employees. Stock awards are subject to a restriction period of about four years and entitle the beneficiary to Siemens shares without payment of consideration following the restriction period. Stock awards granted in fiscal 2008 to 2011 were generally subject to a restriction period of three years. Stock awards forfeit if the beneficiary’s employment with the Company terminates prior to the expiration of the restriction period. During the restriction period, beneficiaries are not entitled to dividends. Stock awards may not be transferred, sold, pledged or otherwise encumbered. Settlement of stock awards may occur in newly issued shares of common stock of Siemens AG, treasury stock or in cash. The settlement method will be determined by the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board.
Each fiscal year, the Company decides whether or not to grant stock awards. The Supervisory Board decides about the number of stock awards to the Managing Board and the Managing Board decides about the number of stock awards to members of the senior management and other eligible employees.
In fiscal 2012, the allocation of stock awards as a share-based payment has been increasingly tied to corporate performance criteria. The target attainment for the performance criteria ranges between 0% and 200%.
Please refer to the Annual Report 2012, Note 33 to the Consolidated Financial Statement, for further information on share-based payment awards at Siemens, including Stock Awards.
Into how many shares is Siemens' common stock subdivided?
As of September 30, 2012, the common stock of Siemens AG comprised 881,000,00 shares without par value, thereof 24,725,674 treasury shares. Each share (except for the treasury shares) is entitled to one vote.
Is Siemens entitled to buy back its own shares?
Siemens may not acquire treasury shares unless so authorized by a resolution adopted by the Siemens shareholders at a general meeting or in other very limited circumstances set forth in the German Stock Corporation Act. Any shareholders resolution that authorizes the repurchase of own shares may be in effect for a period of no longer than five years. The German Stock Corporation Act generally limits share repurchases to 10% of our share capital.
The Company is authorized by its shareholders to acquire treasury stock of up to 10% of its capital stock existing at the date of the shareholders resolution, which represented up to 91,420,342 Siemens shares at the date of the resolution, or – if this value is lower – as of the date on which the authorization is exercised. The common stock of Siemens AG currently comprises 881,000,000 shares limiting the number of treasury shares authorized to be repurchased to 88,100,000 Siemens shares. The authorization became effective on March 1, 2011 and remains in force through January 24, 2016.
In August 2012, Siemens announced a share buy back amounting to up to €3 billion by December 30, 2012. Under this program, which was finalized on November 7, 2012, a total of about 38 million shares were acquired at an average price of €76.90 per share, which represents a total volume of about €2.9 billion.
Has Siemens recently conducted a share split?
Siemens conducted two share splits in the recent past: in 1996 and 2001.
In 1996 one Siemens share was exchanged for ten new Siemens shares.
During the second share split in 2001 two Siemens shares were exchanged for three new Siemens shares. The share split was decided on the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on February 22, 2001 and on April 30, 2001, each shareholder received an extra share for every two shares he or she already held.
How do I change my address in the stock register?
Please inform your depository bank of your change of address. The depository bank will then arrange for the update in the stock register.
What is the security ID number (WKN) of the Siemens share?
The security ID number is: 723 610.
What was the last dividend payment?
On January 23, 2013, the Annual Shareholders' Meeting declared a dividend of 3.00 Euro on each no-par value share entitled to receive a dividend. The dividends were paid out from January 24, 2013 onward by the depository banks via Clearstream Banking AG.
What is the withholding tax applied on the dividend payment?
Dividend distributions made by Siemens are subject to a current withholding tax of 25%. Moreover, a solidarity surcharge of 5.5% on the withholding tax is levied, resulting in a total withholding tax rate from dividends of 26.375%. For many Non-German Holders, the withholding tax rate is currently reduced under applicable income tax treaties.
Can I receive Siemens stock certificates?
The Annual Shareholders' Meeting in 1999 decided that no more stock certificates will be issued after the conversion to registered shares on August 16, 1999. Our capital stock is currently certified by several collective certificates.
I still hold stock certificates of Siemens stocks. How can I exchange these?
Certificates can be handed in to the security deposit of a credit institution of choice in Germany. The costs of depositing these certificates and their conversion into registered shares will be reimbursed by Siemens AG according to the arrangements with respective depository banks.
Why did Siemens choose to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange?
There are following reasons for the listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE):
- The U.S. listing offered many U.S. investment funds the opportunity to invest in Siemens shares for the first time.
- The Siemens share could be used as an acquisition currency in the U.S.
- Siemens' presence on the NYSE strengthens the public perception of the Siemens brand name in the U.S.
When was Siemens quoted on the New York Stock Exchange for the first time?
The U.S. listing began on March 12, 2001. The initial price was set at USD 112.25.
What Siemens shares are traded on the NYSE?
The Siemens share is traded on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) which are represented by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). ADRs are a common method for U.S. investors to acquire shares in non-U.S. companies. ADRs are quoted in USD (the dividend is paid out in USD) and they are traded on the NYSE just like the shares of U.S. companies. ADSs and the representing ADRs must be issued by a U.S. bank and represent a specific number of units of the base value.
The share/ADR ratio is 1:1.
What are the advantages of holding ADRs?
U.S. investors may prefer to purchase ADRs rather than ordinary shares in the issuer's home market because ADRs are traded, cleared and settled according to U.S. market conventions. One top advantage of ADRs is the facilitated diversification into foreign securities. ADRs also allow for easy comparison to securities of similar companies as well as access to USD price and trading information.
Who is the ADR depositary Bank?
Siemens has an ADR program with Deutsche Bank.
What is the ticker symbol on the NYSE?
The ticker symbol is SI.
In which stock exchange segment is the Siemens share quoted?
Since March 12, 2001, Siemens has had a dual listing in the Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard) and in the floor trading on the NYSE.
Can I buy Siemens ADRs without using a U.S. broker?
Yes you can buy Siemens ADRs without using a U.S. broker. You can elect to be a registered Siemens ADR holder by enrolling in DB Global Direct, a share purchase program managed by Deutsche Bank as ADR depositary bank for Siemens. The DB Global Direct Investor Services Program offers investors low cost services to make it easier to invest in Siemens ADR shares. You may view plan details by visiting our website at adr.db.com and clicking on DB Global Direct.
Questions or correspondence about DB Global Direct should be addressed to:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company Investor Services
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
To request plan brochures and enrollment forms for companies offering DB Global Direct, please call:
Toll Free Telephone for U.S. Global BuyDIRECT Participants: 1-866-706-8374
Telephone for International Callers: 1-718-921-8137
Can I reinvest dividends paid from holding Siemens ADRs?
Registered Siemens ADR shareholders that have enrolled in DB Global Direct may elect to reinvest all or a portion of their dividends. Siemens ADR holders that elect to reinvest all their dividends will see their DB Global Direct account credited with ADRs corresponding to the value at the time of the purchase minus applicable fees. Siemens ADR registered shareholders that elect to reinvest a portion of their dividends will be credited the amount allocated in the form of Siemens ADRs and/or a fraction thereof to their DB Global Direct account. The remaining cash balance will be sent to the Siemens ADR holders address on file in the form of a USD denominated cheque.
Beneficial Siemens ADR holders that hold their Siemens ADRs through a bank or broker should contact the financial institution that holds their Siemens ADRs in their name directly.
Is it possible to make regular purchases of Siemens ADRs?
Once enrolled in DB Direct Siemens ADR shareholders may elect to make regular share purchases by debiting their US bank account or by sending Deutsche Bank a USD denominated cheque.