|
Southern Company raises dividend rate for seventh straight year
Annual rate goes to $1.68 per share
PRNewswire
NYSE: SO
ATLANTA - April 21, 2008 - Southern Company said today it is increasing its annual dividend rate by 4 percent, to $1.68 per share. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO ) The increase, totaling 7 cents per share on an annual basis, marks the seventh 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 3/4 cents per share on a quarterly basis -- of 42 cents per share, payable June 6 to shareholders of record May 5. This marks the 242nd consecutive quarter -- dating back to 1948 -- that Southern Company will have paid a dividend to its shareholders. "Southern Company is an investment that has provided attractive, risk-adjusted returns," said David M. Ratcliffe, chairman, president, and chief executive officer. "By increasing our dividends, we are continuing to deliver on our objective of providing our investors with a solid total return over the long term." With nearly 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast, one of America's fastest-growing regions. 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 significantly below the national average. Southern Company has been listed the top ranking U.S. electric service provider in customer satisfaction for eight consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at http://www.southerncompany.com/. Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020207/SOCOLOGO ### Media Contact: Terri Cohilas, +1.404.506.5333 or +1.866.506.5333, media@southerncompany.com Investor Contact: Glen Kundert, +1.404.506.5135, gakunder2@southernco.com
|