/ Source: Reuters
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. raised its annual dividend by 44 percent to 52 cents a share from 36 cents in the previous fiscal year.
The supermarket giant said the next quarterly payment will be 13 cents per share payable on April 5 to shareholders on record on March 19. It plans to pay more than $2.2 billion to its shareholders in the form of dividends this year.
In March last year the company raised its annual dividend to 36 cents per share from 35 cents and said it would pay $1.5 billion in dividends for the year 2003.
Wal-Mart also said on Tuesday it intends to continue its $7 billion share repurchase program. The company also set April 5 as the record date for its annual shareholders meeting, which will be held on June 4.
