ATLANTA, U.S. — The Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company today approved the company’s 57th consecutive annual dividend increase, raising the quarterly dividend 2.6 percent, from 39 cents to 40 cents per common share. The board also authorized a new share repurchase program.
The quarterly dividend is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.60 per share, up from $1.56 per share in 2018. The first quarter dividend is payable April 1, 2019, to shareowners of record as of March 15, 2019.
The company returned $6.6 billion in dividends to shareowners in 2018, bringing the total amount given back to shareowners through dividends since Jan. 1, 2010, to $48.1 billion.
Repurchase program
The board authorized a new share repurchase program for 150 million additional shares of the company’s common stock. The program will take effect at the conclusion of the company’s current program.
Share repurchases are subject to the company’s discretion based on various factors. In addition, the board of directors may modify, extend or terminate the program at any time.
The company’s current share repurchase program for 500 million shares was announced in October 2012. The company’s initial share repurchase program began in 1984.
