tobacco giant Altria Group Inc. said Friday it is raising its quarterly dividend to 56.50 cents a share from 52 cents a share. The new dividend will be payable Oct. 9 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 15, according to a statement. Shares were slightly lower in midmorning trade, but are up 11% in the year so far, outperforming the S&P 500 which is down about 3%.
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