Cosmetic Company Avon Products Inc announced a 6 percent increase in its regular quarterly dividend.
The new dividend rate will be $.175 per common share, up from $.165 per share, beginning with the first-quarter dividend payable March 1, 2006, to shareholders of record February 14, 2006.
On an annualized basis, the new indicated dividend rate would increase to $.70 per share from $.66 per share.
Avon also announced that it has completed its five-year $1 billion share repurchase program, approved in 2000, as well as the incremental $500 million share repurchase initiative launched August 2, 2005.
In total, the company spent $728 million to repurchase shares in 2005.
Avon currently has a five-year $1 billion share repurchase program in place, approved in 2005.
Avon is the world's leading direct seller of beauty and related products, with $7.7 billion in annual revenues.
Avon markets to women around the world through 4.9 million independent sales Representatives.
Avon product lines include such recognizable brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Solutions, Advance Techniques Hair Care, Avon Naturals, Mark, and Avon Wellness. Avon also markets an extensive line of fashion jewelry and apparel.