BENTONVILLE, Ark., March 4, 2010 -- The Board of Directors of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has approved an annual dividend of $1.21 per share, an 11 percent increase from the $1.09 per share paid during fiscal year 2010. For this current fiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2011, the annual dividend of $1.21 per share will be paid in four quarterly installments of $0.3025 per share, according to the following record and payable dates:
Record Date Payable Date
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March 12, 2010 April 5, 2010
May 14, 2010 June 1, 2010
August 13, 2010 September 7, 2010
December 10, 2010 January 3, 2011
"We're very pleased that our financial position continues to allow us to pay shareholders an increased dividend again this year," said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. president and chief executive officer. "With our free cash flow, Walmart has the capacity to grow around the world, make strategic acquisitions, and fund returns to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
"We remain committed to increasing shareholder value through our priorities of growth, leverage and returns," Duke added. "Our underlying operations remain strong, and we are focused on helping our customers save money so they can live better."
Based upon the fiscal year 2011 dividend payout, the company plans to return more than $4.5 billion to its shareholders in the form of dividends in fiscal year 2011. Walmart has increased its dividend every year since its 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 more than 8,400 retail units under 55 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 net sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com/.
SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
