International Business / The Pacific

Daimler-Benz Shareholders Blast Management: The shareholders of the giant German industrial company, angry about a record 1995 loss and the absence of a dividend, refused to accept promises of profitability this year at their annual meeting. Stockholders, who received no dividend in 1995 for the first time in 45 years, attacked management for failing to promptly inform them that huge losses were in store. They also said a change in corporate strategy showed that the company had been on the wrong course. Chairman Juergen Schrempp promised that the company will make a profit this year and said the $3.7-billion loss last year--the largest in German history--was mostly due to restructuring costs.