Hill-Rom announces second-quarter dividend increase

Hill-Rom has announced an 11 percent increase in its dividend for the second quarter of 2012, reflecting the company's progressive financial planning.

The medical technology manufacturer's board of directors has increased its dividend by 11 percent, or the equivalent of $0.0125 (0.0079 pence), to the new level of $0.125 per share.

Shareholders of record as of March 16th 2012 will receive their latest dividend payments on March 30th.

Mark Guinan, senior vice-president and chief financial officer of Hill-Rom, said: "We're pleased to again increase the quarterly dividend in line with our commitment to a disciplined capital allocation strategy."

According to financial data released in January 2012, Hill-Rom's quarterly revenue for the first quarter of the current business year came to $381 million, up by two percent year-on-year.

Full-year constant currency revenue growth has been forecast between three and four percent, with the recently concluded acquisition of Volker set to bolster these expansion plans.