(Archived) Praxair Increases Dividend in First Quarter 2004

DANBURY, CT, January 27, 2004 — The board of directors of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) today increased the company's quarterly dividend to 15 cents per share, payable on March 15, 2004 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2004. This represents an increase from the previous quarter's dividend of 13.5 cents per share, adjusted for the two-for-one stock split that occurred on December 15, 2003.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2003 sales of $5.6 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com.