HOUSTON, Nov. 17, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY) today announced at its annual shareholder meeting that the Board of Directors has approved a four percent increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.25 per share from the current $0.24 per share. The new dividend is payable on January 22, 2010, to common shareholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2009.
"We are pleased to be able to continue the practice of raising the dividend - which we have done in each of our 40 years since becoming a public company. While we continue to operate amidst an extremely challenging business environment, this decision reflects our confidence in Sysco's future prospects," said Bill Delaney, Sysco's chief executive officer. "We will continue to evaluate our dividend policy as business conditions warrant in the future."
About Sysco
Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates 186 distribution facilities serving approximately 400,000 customers. For the fiscal year 2009 that ended June 27, 2009, the company generated more than $36 billion in sales. For more information about Sysco visit the company's Internet home page at www.sysco.com
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