Diebold announces 57th straight uptick in annual dividends

Diebold Inc.'s board of directors on Thursday declared a first-quarter cash dividend of 27 cents per share on all common shares. The new cash dividend, which represents $1.08 per share on an annual basis, is an increase of 3.8 percent over the cash dividend paid in 2009 and marks the company's 57th consecutive annual increase, according to a release from the company.

The dividend is payable on Monday, March 8, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Monday, Feb. 22.