Southern Company raises annual dividend by 8c per share to $2.80

Southern Company announced it is increasing its dividend by 8c per share on an annualized basis to a rate of $2.80 per share. This marks the 75th consecutive year that Southern Company has paid a dividend on its common stock that is equal to or greater than the previous quarter. Additionally, it is the 22nd consecutive year that Southern Company has raised its dividend. "Throughout our business, we provide customers with the clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy solutions that make their lives better," said Southern Company chairman and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. "For three quarters of a century, and again today, the Southern Company board has taken action to reinforce our overall shareholder value proposition to provide regular, predictable, sustainable dividend growth supported by premier state-regulated utilities and energy infrastructure under long-term contracts."