General Mills: Declares 9 Percent Dividend Increase

Minneapolis / MN. (gm) The General Mills Board of Directors declared a four-cent increase in the quarterly dividend rate to 0,47 USD per share, payable August 03, 2009 to shareholders of record July 10, 2009. The new annualized dividend rate of 1,88 USD per share represents a nine percent increase over dividends of 1,72 USD per share paid in fiscal 2009. «Strong and growing cash dividends are an important component of General Mills´ total return to our shareholders», said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ken Powell. «The nine percent dividend increase announced is a reflection of our company´s robust financial condition and excellent future growth prospects». General Mills and its predecessor firm have now paid shareholder dividends without interruption or reduction for 110 years. Based on the June 29 closing price of 55,84 USD for General Mills common shares, the new annualized dividend rate of 1,88 USD represents a yield of 3,4 percent.