ATLANTA, April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company said today it is increasing its annual dividend by 7 cents per share to a rate of $1.96 per share.

The 3.7 percent increase marks the 11th straight year that Southern Company has raised the dividend on its common stock.

Southern Company also announced today a regular quarterly dividend – including an increase of 1.75 cents per share on a quarterly basis – of 49 cents per share, payable June 6, 2012, to shareholders of record as of May 7, 2012. This marks 258 consecutive quarters – dating back to 1948 – that Southern Company will have paid a dividend to its shareholders.

"Southern Company remains committed to providing ever-increasing value for our customers in the form of industry-leading reliability, affordable rates, personalized service and community involvement," said Thomas A. Fanning, chairman, president and CEO. "That longstanding commitment has translated into a history of sustained value for our shareholders as well."

With 4.4 million customers and more than 43,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company also is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE Southern Company