UnitedHealth Group Board Raises Shareholder Dividend and Authorizes Quarterly Payment
MINNEAPOLIS--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) today announced that its Board of Directors, at its regular meeting on May 25, 2010, increased the Companya™s cash dividend to shareholders and moved the Company to a quarterly dividend payment cycle. The first quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share will be paid on June 21, 2010 to all shareholders of record of UnitedHealth Group common stock as of the close of business on June 7, 2010.
"Our disciplined capital stewardship enables us to continue to return capital to our shareholders. We are increasing the size and frequency of our dividends, while continuing an effective share repurchase program, making sound investments in growth and maintaining a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility"
aOur disciplined capital stewardship enables us to continue to return capital to our shareholders. We are increasing the size and frequency of our dividends, while continuing an effective share repurchase program, making sound investments in growth and maintaining a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility,a said Stephen J. Hemsley, president and chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group.
After reviewing the Companya™s business outlook and future capital requirements, the Board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share. At the quarterly rate, a full year of dividends would represent approximately 12 percent to 13 percent of projected 2010 Company cash flows from operations. Future quarterly dividend payments are subject to Board approval and may be adjusted as business needs or market conditions change. Most recently, the Company paid a $0.03 per share annual dividend in April, 2010.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain statements, estimates, projections, guidance or outlook that constitute aforward-lookinga statements as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Generally the words abelieve,a aexpect,a aintend,a aestimate,a aanticipate,a aplan,a aproject,a awilla and similar expressions, identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions, trends and uncertainties and involve risks and uncertainties. We caution that actual results could differ materially from those that management expects, depending on the outcome of certain factors, including our future cash and capital requirements.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves 75 million individuals worldwide. Visit [ www.unitedhealthgroup.com ] for more information.