BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has approved an annual dividend of $1.46 per share, a 21 percent increase from the $1.21 per share paid during fiscal year 2011. For the current fiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2012, the annual dividend of $1.46 per share will be paid in four quarterly installments of $0.3650 per share, according to the following record and payable dates:
|
Record Date |
Payable Date |
|||
| March 11, 2011 | April 4, 2011 | |||
| May 13, 2011 | June 6, 2011 | |||
| August 12, 2011 | September 6, 2011 | |||
| December 9, 2011 | January 3, 2012 | |||
“The strength of our earnings performance for fiscal 2011 and Walmart’s strong financial position allow us to again increase our dividend payout to shareholders,” said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and chief executive officer. “We continue to generate ample free cash flow to fund store growth across all our markets, make strategic acquisitions and deliver returns to shareholders through dividends and share repurchase. In fact, for fiscal 2011, we returned a record $19.2 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchase.
“Our leadership team is completely aligned on enhancing shareholder value by delivering on Walmart’s financial priorities of growth, leverage and returns,” Duke added. “Walmart’s underlying operations around the world remain strong, as we continue to focus on our mission of helping customers save money so they can live better.”
Based upon the fiscal year 2012 dividend payout, the company plans to return more than $5 billion to its shareholders in the form of dividends in fiscal year 2012. Walmart has increased its dividend every year since the first declared dividend of $0.05 per share in March 1974.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 8,970 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.