Dividend Changes to Know Now: Tyson Foods, Montpelier Re Holdings, Lancaster Colony, United Bankshares

Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE:TSN) raises regular dividend by 25%, declares special dividend of 10c per share. The company’s strong balance sheet, liquidity position and a desire to return cash to shareholders led the board to declare a special dividend and to increase the regular dividend by 25%. The Board’s action is reflective of the company’s increased profitability and the investments made in the company.

Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:MRH) declared an increased quarterly dividend of 11.5c per common share. The company’s Board of Directors has also declared a quarterly dividend of 55.47c per 8.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Share, Series A. The dividends are payable on or before January 15, 2013, to all shareholders of record as of December 31, 2012. The Board currently intends to maintain the dividend per common share at the increased level in future periods and will consider further adjustments to its common share dividend policy periodically.

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Lancaster Colony Corporation (NASDAQ:LANC) raises quarterly dividend to 38c from 36c.

United Bankshares Inc. (NASDAQ:UBSI) announced that its board declared a Q4 dividend of 31c per share for shareholders of record as of December 14. Dividends per share of $1.24 for the year 2012 represents a 2% increase over the $1.21 per share paid for the year of 2011. The dividend payout of approximately $15.6M on 50.3M shares is payable January 2, 2013. The year 2012 marks the 39th consecutive year of dividend increases to United shareholders. During this 39 year period, the dividend has increased from 6c to $1.24, which represents an annual compound growth rate over 9%.

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