November 23, 2004 at 2:58 PM EST

McCormick Announces Increase In Quarterly Dividend

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SPARKS, Md., Nov. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Board of Directors of McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE: MKC), today approved a 14% increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend from $0.14 to $0.16 per share on its common stocks, payable January 21, 2005, to shareholders of record December 31, 2004.

Said Robert J. Lawless, Chairman, President & CEO, "McCormick's strong profit performance is generating excellent cash flow. With this cash, we are investing in programs to grow our business and return a portion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchase. We have consistently paid dividends since 1925 and believe they represent an important component of total shareholder return. With a strong increase in the Company's share price and our dividend payments, total shareholder return has increased by more than 25% during the past 12 months. We anticipate continued success and outstanding returns for our shareholders."

CONTACT: McCormick & Company+1-410-771-7310 Web site: http://www.mccormick.com (MKC)

SOURCE: McCormick & Company, Incorporated