Abbott Increases Quarterly Dividend from $0.48 to $0.51

The board of directors of Abbott ABT today increased the company's quarterly common dividend from 48 cents per share to 51 cents per share. This marks the 40th consecutive year that Abbott has increased its dividend payout and the 353rd consecutive quarterly dividend to be paid by Abbott since 1924. The cash dividend is payable May 15, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 13, 2012.