Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company Announces 57th Consecutive Annual Dividend Increase
Board Also Authorizes New Share Repurchase Program
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company today approved the company's 57th consecutive annual dividend increase, raising the quarterly dividend 2.6 percent, from 39 cents to 40 cents per common share. The board also authorized a new share repurchase program.
The quarterly dividend is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.60 per share, up from $1.56 per share in 2018. The first quarter dividend is payable April 1, 2019, to shareowners of record as of March 15, 2019.
The company returned $6.6 billion in dividends to shareowners in 2018, bringing the total amount given back to shareowners through dividends since Jan. 1, 2010, to $48.1 billion.
Repurchase program
The board authorized a new share repurchase program for 150 million additional shares of the company’s common stock. The program will take effect at the conclusion of the company’s current program.
Share repurchases are subject to the company’s discretion based on various factors. In addition, the board of directors may modify, extend or terminate the program at any time.
The company’s current share repurchase program for 500 million shares was announced in October 2012. The company’s initial share repurchase program began in 1984.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Costa coffee, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
The fairlife® brand is owned by fairlife LLC, our joint venture with Select Milk Producers Inc. Products from fairlife are distributed by our company and certain of our bottling partners.
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Source: The Coca-Cola Company
Released February 21, 2019