Abbott announces 342nd quarterly dividend

Abbott has announced its 342nd consecutive quarterly dividend.

The first time the healthcare company paid its shareholders the bonus was in 1924.

On August 15th, those who are on record at the close of business on July 15th as holding stock in the firm will be eligible to a payout of 40 cents (24 pence) per unit.

This is the 37th year in a row the business has increased its dividends and earlier this year the figure grew by 11 per cent.

Companies that have seen the value of their share payouts rise for 25 consecutive years are tracked by the S&P Dividend Aristocrats Index – and Abbott asserted it is a “top performer” in this table.

The firm has also been named in the Fortune 40: Best Stocks to Retire on List.

Last month, Abbott was included in The Scientist magazine’s top ten Best Places to Work in Industry. It was ranked number six in the large companies category.

Since the table first started in 2003, the business has appeared in it every year ? making this the sixth time it has been recognised as a good employer.