BENTONVILLE, Ark. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 1, 2012-- The Board of Directors of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) has approved an annual dividend of $1.59 per share, approximately a 9 percent increase from the $1.46 per share paid during fiscal year 2012. For the current fiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2013 , the annual dividend of $1.59 per share will be paid in four quarterly installments of $0.3975 per share, according to the following record and payable dates:
| Record Date |
Payable Date |
||||||
| March 12, 2012 | April 4, 2012 | ||||||
| May 11, 2012 | June 4, 2012 | ||||||
| Aug. 10, 2012 | Sept. 4, 2012 | ||||||
| Dec. 7, 2012 | Jan. 2, 2013 | ||||||
“We are pleased that the strength of our financial position allows Walmart to again increase our dividend payout to shareholders,” said Mike Duke , Walmart president and chief executive officer. “Our free cash flow continues to fund store growth across all our markets, facilitate strategic acquisitions and deliver returns to shareholders through dividends and share repurchase. We returned $11.3 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchase during fiscal 2012.
“We have high expectations for fiscal year 2013,” said Duke. “Our core Walmart U.S. business is back on track. International remains our strong growth engine and Sam's Club continues to drive sales momentum. And, we will continue to build our e-commerce capabilities to serve more customers around the world.”
Walmart has increased its dividend every year since the first declared dividend of $0.05 per share in March 1974 .
About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 10,130 retail units under 69 different banners in 27 countries. With fiscal year 2012 sales of approximately $444 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 and the dividend history can be found by visiting http://www.walmartstores.com.
Source: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
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