USA : Oregon-based Nike increases quarterly dividend 24%

The Board of Directors of NIKE Inc has declared a quarterly cash dividend of twenty three cents ($0.23) per share on the company’s outstanding Class A and Class B Common Stock.
The 23-cent quarterly dividend, which is payable January 2, 2008 to shareholders of record at the close of business December 10, 2007, is a 24 percent increase over the previous quarterly rate of $0.185 per share.
“We are very pleased to increase our cash payout to shareholders for the sixth consecutive year" said Mark Parker, Nike, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer. "Nike is a growth company with solid cash flow, a strong balance sheet and excellent long-term growth prospects.
Over the past five years, we have increased the dividend an average of 25 percent a year. Today’s increase reflects our ongoing commitment to creating and delivering value for our shareholders.”