Survey: 37% Would Like To Raise Dividends

ByJohn S. McClenahen Some 37% of 57 senior financial executives responding to a Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI survey last month said their companies would like to raise their dividends. Another 37% said they planned to maintain a constant dividend payout ratio or dividend-per-share. Five percent said they would pay a "minimal" dividend. No company surveyed said it plans to cut its dividend, reports the Arlington, Va.-based business and public policy research group. However, 21% of those responding said their companies would not be paying any dividend.