Microsoft Announces 23 Percent Increase in Quarterly Dividend

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share, reflecting a 3 cent or 23 percent increase over the previous quarter's dividend.  The dividend is payable December 9, 2010 to shareholders of record on November 18, 2010. The ex-dividend date will be November 16, 2010.

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"This higher dividend, combined with our ongoing share repurchase program, reflects our commitment to returning capital to our shareholders and our confidence in the long-term growth of the company," said Peter Klein, chief financial officer of Microsoft.

For the ten years ending June 30, 2010, Microsoft has returned nearly $170 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.  Under the most recent share repurchase plan approved by the Microsoft board in September 2008, the company has approximately $23.7 billion in share repurchase authorization remaining as of June 30, 2010.

Microsoft also announced that its board of directors authorized up to $6 billion in incremental commercial paper and longer-term debt.  

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.