Applied Materials announces 14 percent increase in cash dividend

SANTA CLARA, USA: Applied Materials Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend from $0.07 per share to $0.08 per share payable on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable on June 22, 2011 to stockholders of record as of June 1, 2011.

"The strength of our products in the marketplace and the improvements we have made to our operations have enabled us to generate strong cash flow," said Mike Splinter, chairman and chief executive officer of Applied Materials. "The company remains focused on expanding in our core businesses, entering new markets and returning value to shareholders through vehicles like the dividend and stock repurchases."