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Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

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Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information for Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MTD.” The following table sets forth on a per share basis the high and low sales prices for consolidated trading in our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape for the quarters indicated.

Common Stock Price Range
HighLow
2013
Fourth Quarter$253.27$233.71
Third Quarter$242.56$205.55
Second Quarter$228.00$197.91
First Quarter$221.56$196.72
2012
Fourth Quarter$195.00$161.80
Third Quarter$177.44$148.68
Second Quarter$185.08$150.57
First Quarter$189.67$152.19

Holders

At January 31, 2014, there were 65 holders of record of common stock and 29,389,802 shares of common stock outstanding. We estimate we have approximately 43,485 beneficial owners of common stock.

Dividend Policy

Historically, we have not paid dividends on our common stock. However, we will evaluate this policy on a periodic basis taking into account our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, including potential acquisitions, our share repurchase program, the taxation of dividends to our shareholders and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

Share Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total returns (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on $100 invested on December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2013 in our common stock, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Index (S&P 500 Index) and the SIC Code 3826 Index — Laboratory Analytical Instruments. Historically, we have not paid dividends on our common stock. However, the Company will evaluate this policy on a periodic basis taking into account our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, including potential acquisitions, our share repurchase program, the taxation of dividends to our shareholders and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

Comparison of Cumulative Total Return Among Mettler-Toledo International Inc., the

S&P 500 Index and SIC Code 3826 Index — Laboratory Analytical Instruments

12-31-0812-31-0912-31-1012-31-1112-31-1212-31-13
Mettler-Toledo$100$156$224$219$287$360
S&P 500 Index$100$126$146$149$172$228
SIC Code 3826 Index$100$148$188$154$202$306

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Total Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced ProgramApproximate Dollar Value (in thousands) of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Program
Period
October 1 to October 31, 201397,996$242.8297,996$946,141
November 1 to November 30, 201399,752246.5399,752921,547
December 1 to December 31, 2013119,431244.23119,431892,376
Total317,179$244.52317,179$892,376

We have a $3 billion share repurchase program, which includes an additional $750 million that was authorized by the Board of Directors during 2013. As of December 31, 2013, there was $892 million of remaining common shares authorized to be repurchased under the program. The share repurchases are expected to be funded from existing cash balances, borrowings and cash generated from operating activities. Repurchases will be made through open market transactions, and the amount and timing of repurchases will depend on business and market conditions, stock price, trading restrictions, the level of acquisition activity and other factors.

We have purchased 21.5 million common shares since the inception of the program in 2004 through December 31, 2013, at a total cost of $2.1 billion. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we spent $295.0 million and $278.7 million on the repurchase of 1,321,577 shares and 1,637,827 shares at an average price per share of $223.18 and $170.13, respectively.

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