OREANDA-NEWS. Duke Energy today declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of USD 0.78 per share, an increase of USD 0.015 per share. The dividend is payable on Sept. 16, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business Aug. 16, 2013.

This is the 87th consecutive year that Duke Energy has paid a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock and the sixth consecutive year in which the company has raised that dividend.

“We've made a promise to our shareholders to be good stewards of their investment in our company,” said Jim Rogers, chairman, president and CEO. “We're proud to be able to share our success with them through this dividend increase.”

“We realize the importance of the dividend payment to our shareholders,” said Lynn Good, who will become president and CEO July 1. “One of our primary financial objectives has been to consistently grow the dividend annually. The strength of our balance sheet and significant regulated business mix has allowed us to do exactly that for the past six consecutive years.”

Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with more than USD 110 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.2 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.