The board of directors of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today declared a
22-cent first-quarter 2012 dividend on the company’s common stock,
payable March 6, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of
business on February 3, 2012. Pfizer increased the dividend by 10
percent, to 22 cents from 20 cents per share.
The first-quarter 2012 cash dividend will be the 293rd
consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Pfizer.
The board of directors also authorized a new share repurchase program
for up to $10 billion in addition to the amount remaining under the
current repurchase program.
"The dividend increase and new share repurchase program are a testament
to our continued commitment to enhancing shareholder value and to our
continued confidence in the business,” stated Ian Read, Pfizer president
and chief executive officer. "While the dividend level remains a
decision of the board, we continue to target a dividend payout ratio of
approximately 40 percent by the end of 2013. In addition, we currently
expect to repurchase approximately $5 billion of our common stock in
2012, with the remaining authorized amount available in 2013 and beyond.”
DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as of
December 12, 2011. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of
new information or future events or developments.
This release contains forward-looking information that involves
substantial risks and uncertainties concerning the possibility of future
dividend increases and concerning the Company’s share-repurchase plans.
Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the Company’s
future financial performance as well as general economic, political,
business, industry, regulatory and market conditions. A further list and
description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and in
its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
