Dow Chemical Co. (NYSE:DOW) Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris said this week that the board of the 112-year-old Michigan-based chemicals company would consider — for the first time in its history — cutting the dividend paid to investors.

Dow, which employs 46,000 people worldwide, recently announced that it would cut 5,000 jobs and close 20 facilities in response to global economic recession.
 
Earlier this year plans to sell part of its plastics business to Kuwaiti investors failed.

On Tuesday the company announced a delay in its bid to acquire chemical maker Rohm and Haas Co. (NYSE:ROH)

In announcing the delay of the expected acquisition Dow Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris said
“…the world has changed significantly and we still do not see the bottom of this unprecedented demand destruction which only accelerated through the fourth quarter and brought December operating rates to historic lows.”