Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Siemens was founded in its current form in 1966. Werner von Siemens (1816 - 1892) and Johann Georg Halske laid the foundation on October 1, 1847.

Siemens does business in around 190 countries throughout the world. Click here for a list of our worldwide locations: Siemens Worldwide

Siemens' operations are organized into four Sectors and a total of 19 divisions. Click here for a detailed organizational chart.

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:

The following following values provide the foundation for Siemens:

Siemens offers a wide range of products, services and solutions. For a list of which ones, click here: Products, Solutions and Service

As of September 30, 2011, 360,000 people were working for Siemens AG throughout the world (continuing operations).

Siemens invested €3.9 billion in research and development in fiscal 2011 (continuing operations).

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.

Siemens' fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. Use the following link to place orders for the latest Annual Report.

You can purchase Siemens shares through a broker or a depository bank.

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).

The rearrangement to registered shares was carried out on August 16, 1999.

Siemens shares are without par value.

The shares of Siemens AG are included in most share indicators; for example:

As of December 19, 2010 Siemens AG has no current stock option plan in place and it has no outstanding options.

As of September 30, 2011, the common stock of Siemens AG comprised 914,203,421 shares without par value, thereof 39,952,074 treasury shares. Each share (except for the treasury shares) is entitled to one vote.

Siemens may not acquire own 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 shareholder’s resolution that authorizes the repurchase of own shares may be in effect for a period no longer than 60 months. The German Stock Corporation Act generally limits share repurchases to 10% of our share capital.

Siemens conducted two share splits in the recent past: in 1996 and 2001.

Please inform your depository bank of your change of address. The depository bank will then arrange for the update in the stock register.

The security ID number is: 723 610.

On January 24, 2012, 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 25, 2012 onward by the depository banks via Clearstream Banking AG.

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.

Since the conversion to registered shares on August 16, 1999, it was decided at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting in 1999 that no more stock certificates will be issued. Our capital stock is currently certified by several collective certificates.

Shareholders who keep their certificates can hand them in to the security deposit of a credit institution of their choice. 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.

The following reasons determined the choice of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE):

The U.S. listing began on March 12, 2001. The initial price was set at US$112.25

The Siemens share is traded on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of ADSs (American Depositary Shares) which are represented by ADRs (American Depositary Receipts). ADRs are a common method by which U.S. investors may acquire shares in non-U.S. companies. ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars (the dividend is paid out in U.S. dollars) 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.

US investors may prefer to purchase ADRs rather than ordinary shares in the issuer's home market because ADRs trade, clear and settle according to U.S. market conventions. One of an ADRs top advantages 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.

Siemens has an ADR program with Deutsche Bank.

The ticker symbol is SI.

As of March 12, 2001, Siemens has a dual listing in the Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard) and in the floor trading on the NYSE.

Yes you can buy Siemens ADRs without using a US 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.

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 $US denominated cheque.

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 $US denominated cheque.