Walt Disney Raises Stock Dividend By 25%

Media company distributes earnings to shareholders

By Jon Lafayette -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/28/2012 4:22:55 PM

The Walt Disney Co. said its board increased the annual dividend on its stock by 25% to 75 cents a share.

In the past couple of years, media companies have been trying to gain favor with investors by returning earnings to shareholders in the form of stock buybacks and larger cash dividends.

"Fiscal 2012 was another great year for The Walt Disney Company, creatively and financially," Bob Iger, chairman and CEO, said in a statement.  "We achieved record revenue, net income and earnings per share, while continuing to invest for long term growth, and we are pleased to be able to increase our shareholder dividend by 25%."

The dividend will be paid Dec. 28 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 10.