Dentsply increases cash dividend

Dentsply’s board of directors has revealed an increase to the company’s quarterly cash dividend.

Announced as $0.05 (0.034 pounds) per share of the organisation’s common stock at an annual rate of $0.20 per share, the dividend is payable on April 8th, following close on March 26th.

Earlier this month, Dentsply revealed its net income rose to $283.9 million or $1.87 per diluted share over 2008, a rise of $24.2 million on the previous year’s result.

Speaking at the time, the organisation’s chairman and chief executive officer Bret Wise said the group was “pleased” to have delivered strong figures over the year, despite the current economic climate.

He went on to say the company is “well positioned” with strong cash flows and a favourable liquidity position to “prosper throughout economic cycles”.

Mr Wise added: “We expect that earnings per diluted share will range from $1.85 to $1.95 for the full year 2009.”