Walgreens increases quarterly dividend

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of 22.5 cents per share, a 28.6% increase over the year-ago dividend.

The dividend is payable June 12 to shareholders of record on May 21. The drug store chain noted it has paid a dividend in 318 straight quarters (more than 79 years) and has raised its dividend for 36 consecutive years. What's more, the company's annual dividend rate has risen from 31 cents per share to 90 cents per share over the last five years.