Oct 18, 2004
Guidant Announces Fourth Quarter Dividend

Indianapolis, Ind. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT) today announced that the company''s board of directors declared a fourth quarter dividend of $0.10 per share on outstanding common stock. This dividend amount is equal to the previous dividend paid during the first, second and third quarters of 2004 and brings the total dividend declared for the year to $0.40 a share on outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable December 15, 2004, to shareholders of record on December 1, 2004.

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for a better life today to millions of cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of more than 12,000 employees, develops, manufactures and markets a broad array of products and services that enable less invasive care for some of life''s most threatening medical conditions. For more information, visit www.guidant.com. For more information about Guidant, including its products and services, please visit the company''s newsroom at www.guidant.com/newsroom.