Microsofthas boosted its quarter dividend by 3 cents, or 15 percent, to 23 cents per share.
The new dividend is payable December 13 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2012. The ex-dividend date will be November 13, 2012.
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Microsoft also said that Raymond Gilmartin, former CEO of Merck , will retire from the Microsoft board at the company’s 2012 annual shareholder meeting. Gilmartin had served on the Microsoft board for 11 years.