Dividends On Common Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK [Abstract]

3. DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK

3. DIVIDENDS ON COMMON STOCK

Dividends on Common Stock – In April 2011, the company’s board of directors approved an increase to the quarterly common stock dividend from $0.47 per share to $0.50 per share, for shareholders of record as of May 31, 2011.

In May 2010, the company’s board of directors approved an increase to the quarterly common stock dividend, from $0.43 per share to $0.47 per share, for stockholders of record as of June 1, 2010.

In May 2009, the company’s board of directors approved an increase to the quarterly common stock dividend, from $0.40 per share to $0.43 per share, for stockholders of record as of June 1, 2009.