Avista boosts 3Q stock dividend

Avista Corp.’s board of directors has increased the company’s quarterly dividend to 34.25 cents per share on common stock, officials announced Friday.

The increase of 1.25 cents per share represents a 3.8 percent increase, for an annual dividend of $1.37 per share.

Scott Morris, Avista’s chairman and CEO, said the Spokane utility’s board of directors has raised dividend for 14 consecutive years. The board evaluates quarterly dividends on a regular basis, considering factors such a financial results, business strategy and competition for investors, according to a company news release.