CHICAGO, Dec. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — The Boeing [NYSE: BA] board of directors today declared the company’s quarterly dividend will increase 30 percent to $1.42 per share. The board also replaced the existing share repurchase program with a new $14 billion authorization.

“As our team delivers on our large and diverse order backlog, and drives greater efficiency across our business, Boeing is well positioned to generate increasing cash flows and meet our commitment to provide competitive returns to our shareholders. At the same time, Boeing is continuing to invest in our people, innovation and growth as part of a balanced cash deployment strategy,” said Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg.

The company has consistently paid a dividend to shareholders for more than 75 years and has raised the quarterly payment about 190 percent over the past four years. The new dividend will be payable March 3, 2017 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 10, 2017.

Share repurchases for 2016 have been completed. In all, the company this year bought back $7 billion worth of its shares, using half of the $14 billion authorization approved last December. The new repurchase program replaces the existing one and brings the authorization back up to $14 billion.

“The plans we announced today demonstrate our ongoing commitment to return cash to shareholders through a growing dividend and share repurchases, and reflect our confidence in our financial strength and the long-term outlook of our business,” said Greg Smith, Boeing’s chief financial officer and executive vice president of Corporate Development & Strategy.

Share repurchase activity is expected to resume in January 2017. The timing and volume of repurchases are at the discretion of Boeing management, however it is expected that repurchases under the new share authorization will be made over the next 24 to 30 months.

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