GM to
pay first quarterly dividend in almost six years
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[January 15, 2014]
By Ben Klayman
DETROIT (Reuters) — General Motors Co <GM.N>
will pay the first quarterly dividend on its common stock in almost
six years, marking another step in the U.S. automaker's recovery
from its bankruptcy in 2009 and sending shares up 3.2 percent in
after-hours trading.
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The No. 1 U.S. automaker, which last paid a dividend in June 2008
before it moved to save money during the U.S. recession, said it
will pay shareholders a quarterly dividend of 30 cents a share,
payable on March 28 to shareholders of record on March 18. In 2008,
its quarterly dividend was 25 cents a share.
"This return to shareholders is consistent with our capital
priorities and is an important signal of confidence in our plans for
a continuing profitable future," Chief Financial Officer Dan Ammann
said in a statement.
Ammann, who said on Sunday that GM was closer than ever to paying a
dividend, will become GM's president on Wednesday.
GM also named Chuck Stevens as the company's new CFO, effective on
Wednesday. He had been CFO of GM North America.
Investors have been pushing GM to return cash to them in the form of
a dividend or a stock buyback, especially since the U.S. Treasury
sold the last of its stake in the company last month.
The dividend reintroduction by GM, which is showing new cars and
trucks this week at the Detroit auto show, is likely
to attract investors who buy stocks that generate income.
Weak industry demand drove GM to seek bankruptcy protection in 2009
and it emerged as a leaner operation with more cash on hand with the
help of a $49.5 billion U.S. taxpayer bailout.
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GM already pays a dividend on preferred stock. Rival U.S. automaker
Ford Motor Co <F.N> resumed paying a common dividend in March 2012
after suspending it for more than 5-1/2 years. Last week, Ford
boosted its quarterly dividend by 25 percent to 12-1/2 cents per
share.
GM ended the third quarter last year with total automotive liquidity
of $37.3 billion.
GM stock rose to $41.29 in after-hours trading on Tuesday, compared
with the closing price of $40.02 on the New York Stock Exchange.
(Editing by Matthew Lewis)
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