Coca-Cola Co. boosts dividend

Coca-Cola Co. has registered its 48th consecutive annual dividend increase. The Atlanta-based company's board of directors raised the quarterly dividend approximately 7 percent from 41 cents to 44 cents per share, equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.76 per share. Last year, it was $1.64 per share.

Just as giant bottler Coca-Cola Enterprises did earlier this week when it upped its own dividend, Coca-Cola on Thursday said the increase reflected confidence in its long-term cash flow.