Southwest Airlines is raising its quarterly dividend to 6 cents from 4 cents and plans to buy back $1 billion in company stock.
The Dallas-based company said the moves reflect its strong financial performance and cash outlook. It will buy back $200 million in stock through an accelerated repurchase program.
Southwest said its next dividend will be paid June 25 to shareholders of record on June 4.
In April Southwest said its net income more than doubled and reached record levels.
The company is alone among major U.S. carriers in being consistently profitable for many years, and for a time it was the only major U.S. airline to pay a dividend. It raised its dividend to 4 cents from a penny a year ago.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
