Microsoft ups dividend, boosts share buyback

Microsoft Corp plans to buyback up to $40 bln of its own stock, and raised its quarterly dividend by 18%, the software maker said on Monday.
Microsoft's shares rose 5% after the world's biggest software maker said it would pay a quarterly dividend of 13 cents a share, up from 11 cents a share.
The company also said that its board authorized debt financings from time to time of up to $6 bln. It intends to use the proceeds from any debt financings for general corporate purposes.
The company, said it has completed its previous $40 bln stock repurchase program.
"These announcements illustrate our confidence in the long-term growth of the company and our commitment to returning capital to our shareholders," said Chris Liddell, chief financial officer of Microsoft.
Shares of Microsoft climbed to $26.49 in pre-market trade on Monday, after closing on Friday at $25.16 on Nasdaq.