Pfizer Declares First-Quarter 2019 Dividend

The board of directors of Pfizer Inc. declared a 36-cent first-quarter 2019 dividend on the company’s common stock, payable March 1, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 1, 2019. Pfizer increased the dividend by approximately 6 percent, to 36 cents from 34 cents per share. The first-quarter 2019 cash dividend will be the 321st consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Pfizer. Keeping with past practice, the board of directors also authorized a new USD 10 billion share repurchase program to be utilized over time. This new program is in addition to the USD 4.9 billion remaining under the company’s current authorization. “We are confident in the business and focused on maximizing total shareholder return, of which the dividend remains a key component,” stated Ian Read, Pfizer chairman and chief executive officer. – Medical Buyer Bureau