MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Xcel Energy Inc. (NYSE: XEL) board of directors today raised the
quarterly dividend on the company’s common stock from 32 cents per share
to 34 cents per share, which is equivalent to an annual rate of $1.36
per share. The Board declared the first quarter common stock dividend
payable April 20, 2016, to shareholders of record on March 15, 2016.
“Our goal is to provide an attractive total return to our investors,
which reflects our objectives of increasing our dividend 5-7 percent and
growing earnings 4-6 percent annually. We are pleased to increase our
dividend by 6.3 percent, which reflects the confidence we have in our
business plan and our financial flexibility,” said Ben Fowke, chairman,
president, and CEO.
Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company, with
operations in 8 Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a
comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.5
million electricity customers and 2.0 million natural gas customers
through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are
located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.
This information is not given in connection with any sale or offer for
sale or offer to buy any securities.
Except for the historical statements contained in this release, the
matters discussed herein, are forward-looking statements that are
subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such
forward-looking statements, including our 2016 earnings per share
guidance and assumptions, are intended to be identified in this document
by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,”
“may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,”
“potential,” “should” and similar expressions. Actual results may vary
materially. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they
are made and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any
forward-looking information. The following factors, in addition to those
discussed in Xcel Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended Dec. 31, 2014, and subsequent securities filings, could cause
actual results to differ materially from management expectations as
suggested by such forward-looking information: general economic
conditions, including inflation rates, monetary fluctuations and their
impact on capital expenditures and the ability of Xcel Energy Inc. and
its subsidiaries (collectively, Xcel Energy) to obtain financing on
favorable terms; business conditions in the energy industry; including
the risk of a slow down in the U.S. economy or delay in growth,
recovery, trade, fiscal, taxation and environmental policies in areas
where Xcel Energy has a financial interest; customer business
conditions; actions of credit rating agencies; competitive factors
including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition
in the markets served by Xcel Energy; unusual weather; effects of
geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; cyber security
threats and data security breaches; state, federal and foreign
legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment
recovery, have an impact on rates or have an impact on asset operation
or ownership or impose environmental compliance conditions; structures
that affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the
electric and natural gas markets; costs and other effects of legal and
administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims;
financial or regulatory accounting policies imposed by regulatory
bodies; outcomes of regulatory proceedings; availability of cost of
capital; and employee work force factors.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160217006501/en/
Xcel Energy, Minneapolis
Shareholder Services:
Tara Heine,
612-215-5391
or
Paul Johnson, 612-215-4535
Vice
President, Investor Relations
or
Xcel Energy Media Relations
Representatives, 612-215-5300
Source: Xcel Energy