Coca-Cola raises quarterly dividend

Coca-Cola Co. has raised its quarterly dividend by 7 percent, marking the company's 49th consecutive annual dividend increase. The quarterly dividend was raised to 47 cents per share from 44 cents. The annual dividend rate of $1.88 per share is up from $1.76 per share last year.

"The increase reflects the board's confidence in the company's long-term cash flow," the company said in a statement. Coca-Cola returned $7.2 billion to investors in 2010, through $4.1 billion in dividends and $3.1 billion in share repurchases.

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