Altria: raises dividend over 14%
(CercleFinance.com) - US tobacco giant Altria said on Thursday that it has raised its quarterly dividend by over 14%, marking a 53th increase over the past 49 years.
The owner of the Marlboro brand of cigarettes said the regular quarterly dividend of 0.80 dollar per common share, versus the previous rate of 0.70 dollar, would be payable on 10 October to shareholders on record as of 14 September.
The increase reflects Altria's intention to return a large amount of cash to shareholders in the form of dividends, the company said in a statement.
Last month, Altria raised the lower-end of its earnings guidance range for 2018, citing "confidence in its core tobacco businesses."
Copyright (c) 2018 CercleFinance.com. All rights reserved.
The owner of the Marlboro brand of cigarettes said the regular quarterly dividend of 0.80 dollar per common share, versus the previous rate of 0.70 dollar, would be payable on 10 October to shareholders on record as of 14 September.
The increase reflects Altria's intention to return a large amount of cash to shareholders in the form of dividends, the company said in a statement.
Last month, Altria raised the lower-end of its earnings guidance range for 2018, citing "confidence in its core tobacco businesses."
Copyright (c) 2018 CercleFinance.com. All rights reserved.