8-KOther EventsExhibits & Filings

AMGEN INC 8-K Report, Temporary Suspension of Trading Under Employee Benefit Plans (Aug 18, 2008)

Filed August 18, 2008For Securities:AMGN

Summary

This Form 8-K filing by Amgen Inc. (AMGN) on August 18, 2008, primarily informs investors about a temporary suspension of trading activities within the company's employee benefit plans. This "Plan Blackout Period" is scheduled to occur from September 30, 2008, through October 8, 2008, due to a change in the plan administrator. During this time, participants will be unable to direct or diversify their investments within the Amgen Retirement and Savings Plan. Furthermore, in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act regulations, Amgen has issued a notice to its directors and executive officers restricting their trading of Amgen equity securities acquired through their employment or service. This prohibition will be in effect during the same blackout period. While this event doesn't directly impact Amgen's financial performance or operations, it's a procedural update related to employee benefits and insider trading regulations.

Key Highlights

  • 1Amgen Inc. (AMGN) filed an 8-K on August 18, 2008, reporting a temporary "Plan Blackout Period" for its employee retirement and savings plan.
  • 2The blackout period is scheduled from September 30, 2008, 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time, through October 8, 2008.
  • 3This trading suspension is to facilitate the transfer of administration of the Amgen Retirement and Savings Plan to a new service provider.
  • 4During the blackout period, participants cannot direct or diversify their investments within the plan.
  • 5In accordance with Section 306(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Amgen notified its directors and executive officers about trading restrictions.
  • 6Directors and executive officers are prohibited from buying, selling, or transferring Amgen equity securities acquired through their employment or service during the blackout period.
  • 7A notice to directors and executive officers regarding these restrictions is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Frequently Asked Questions

The "Plan Blackout Period" is a period during which participants of the Amgen Retirement and Savings Plan will be unable to direct or diversify their investments within the plan. This is necessary to facilitate a change in the plan's administrator.

The blackout period is expected to run from 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time on September 30, 2008, through October 8, 2008.

No, this blackout period specifically affects the ability of participants in the Amgen Retirement and Savings Plan to make investment decisions within that plan. It also restricts trading of Amgen equity securities by Amgen's directors and executive officers that were acquired in connection with their employment or service. It does not restrict general trading of Amgen stock on the open market by the public.

This restriction is a compliance measure under Section 306(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. It prohibits directors and executive officers from buying, selling, or transferring Amgen equity securities acquired through their employment or service during the blackout period to prevent potential insider trading during times of limited information flow for plan participants.