HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) today announced that its board of directors has raised the company’s quarterly dividend to 73 cents per share, an increase of 5.8 percent. This marks ConocoPhillips’ second dividend increase since the company separated its downstream operations in May 2012 to become the world’s largest independent E&P company based on production and proved reserves.
“A compelling dividend remains a top priority for our company and reflects our commitment to deliver competitive shareholder returns,” said Ryan Lance, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our company’s financial position is strong and our outlook for growth is positive. Our diverse asset base, significant technical capability and strong balance sheet provide confidence in ConocoPhillips’ future and the ability to execute our plans for growth and returns.”
The dividend increase is part of ConocoPhillips’ plan to increase value for shareholders through portfolio optimization, focused capital investments that deliver 3 to 5 percent growth in both production and cash margins, improved returns on capital, and a compelling dividend.
The dividend is payable on Sept. 2, 2014, to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 21, 2014.
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About ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips is the world’s largest independent E&P company based on production and proved reserves. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips had operations and activities in 27 countries, $62 billion in annualized revenue, $120 billion of total assets, and approximately 18,800 employees as of March 31, 2014. Production from continuing operations, excluding Libya, averaged 1,530 MBOED for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and proved reserves were 8.9 billion BOE as of Dec. 31, 2013. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, and other aspects of our operations or operating results. In many cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "continue," "could," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should," "will," "expect," "objective," "projection," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "outlook," "effort," "target" and other similar words. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Where, in any forward-looking statement, the company expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, there can be no assurance that such expectation or belief will result or be achieved. The actual results of operations can and will be affected by a variety of risks and other matters including, but not limited to, changes in commodity prices; changes in expected levels of oil and gas reserves or production; operating hazards, drilling risks, unsuccessful exploratory activities; difficulties in developing new products and manufacturing processes; unexpected cost increases; international monetary conditions; potential liability for remedial actions under existing or future environmental regulations; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets; and general domestic and international economic and political conditions; as well as changes in tax, environmental and other laws applicable to our business. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting our business generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless legally required, ConocoPhillips undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
