Business News
Meredith Corporation Board Of Directors Declares Quarterly Dividend
Friday 09. November 2012 - Company Raises Second Quarter Fiscal 2013 Earnings Per Share Range to $0.85 to $0.90
Donald C. Berg of Brown-Forman Elected to Meredith Board of Directors
The Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP) Board of Directors yesterday declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.3825 per share, or $1.53 on an annual basis. The dividend will be payable on Dec. 14, 2012, to shareholders of record on November 30, 2012.
Meredith has a strong history of returning cash to shareholders, paying a dividend for 65 consecutive years, and increasing it 19 straight years. Meredith’s calendar 2012 dividend of $1.53 represents a 33 percent increase over the prior year. Over the last 10 years, Meredith has grown its dividend at an average annualized rate of 16 percent.
Meredith Raises Second Quarter Fiscal 2013 Estimate
Meredith also announced today that it now expects second quarter fiscal 2013 earnings per share to range from $0.85 to $0.90 based on stronger than anticipated political advertising at Meredith’s Local Media Group. Previously, Meredith expected second quarter earnings per share of $0.80 to $0.85. The rest of Meredith’s businesses are performing as expected for the second quarter of fiscal 2013.
Meredith continues to expect full fiscal 2013 earnings per share to range from $2.60 to $2.95. The Company has very limited visibility into calendar 2013 advertising budgets and the advertising marketplace remains volatile.
A number of uncertainties remain that may affect Meredith’s outlook as stated in this press release for the second quarter and full year fiscal 2013. These and other uncertainties are referenced below under “Safe Harbor” and in certain filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Donald C. Berg Elected to Meredith Board of Directors
At yesterday’s Annual Shareholders Meeting, James R. Craigie, Frederick B. Henry, and Joel W. Johnson were reelected to the Board by Meredith shareholders, each for three-year terms expiring in 2015. Donald C. Berg, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Brown-Forman Corporation, was elected for a two-year term expiring in 2014.
“I am proud to reaffirm Meredith’s commitment to our Total Shareholder Return strategy and returning cash to shareholders as demonstrated by our ongoing strong dividend program,” said Meredith Chairman and CEO Stephen M. Lacy. “We are also very pleased with the continued excellent performance of our Local Media Group. Finally, I congratulate my fellow directors on their reelection, and thank them for their service on behalf of our shareholders. I’d also like to welcome Don Berg to the Board. We look forward to his contributions.”