The Board of Directors of Colgate-Palmolive Company today increased the
ongoing quarterly common stock cash dividend by 6%. The increase will be
effective in the second quarter, 2015. The new rate of $.38 per share is
up from $.36 per share. The Board declared that the second quarter
dividend is to be paid on May 15, 2015 to shareholders of record as of
April 23, 2015. On an annualized basis, the new dividend rate is $1.52
versus $1.44 per share previously. The Company has paid uninterrupted
dividends on its common stock since 1895.
Colgate-Palmolive Company’s Board of Directors today also authorized a
new share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of shares of
common stock having an aggregate purchase price of up to $5 billion.
This program replaces the share repurchase program approved by the Board
in September, 2011. The Company currently expects the new program to
last three to four years. The shares may be purchased in the open-market
or privately negotiated transactions. As of December 31, 2014, the
Company had approximately 907 million shares of common stock outstanding.
Ian Cook, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are
pleased that our strong balance sheet and excellent cash generation
worldwide has enabled us to increase the quarterly cash dividend and
launch a new share repurchase program.”
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About Colgate-Palmolive: Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer
products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care
and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and
territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand
names as Colgate, Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso,
Kolynos, elmex, Tom’s of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, and
Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet, Hill's Prescription Diet and
Hill’s Ideal Balance. For more information about Colgate's global
business, visit the Company's web site at http://www.colgatepalmolive.com.
To learn more about Colgate’s global oral health education program,
Bright Smiles, Bright Futures™, please visit http://www.colgatebsbf.com.
CL-D, CL-C
Copyright Business Wire 2015