Amgen Inc. said Wednesday that its annual stockholdersmeeting approved a 3-for-1 stock split in the form of a 200percent stock dividend.

The company split 2-for-1 in August 1990, only to see thestock climb to new heights. It closed Tuesday at a 52-weekhigh of $141.25. On Wednesday, the stock (NASDAQ:AMGN)closed at $139.50, down $1.75.

The dividend will be distributed on Sept. 10 to stockholders ofrecord on Aug. 30. The meeting approved an increase in thenumber of authorized shares of common stock to 750 millionfrom 125 million.

The board of directors of the Thousand Oaks, Calif., companyalso approved a change in the company's fiscal year end to Dec.31 from March 31, effective immediately.

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