Southern Company announced it is increasing its dividend by 8 cents per share on an annualized basis to a rate of $2.40 per share.

This marks the 17^th consecutive year that Southern Company has raised the dividend on its common stock.

Southern Company also announced a regular quarterly dividend – including the increase of 2 cents per share over the prior quarter – of 60 cents per share, payable June 6, 2018, to shareholders of record as of May 21, 2018. This marks 282 consecutive quarters – dating back to 1948 – that Southern Company will have paid a dividend to its shareholders that is equal to or greater than the previous quarter.

"Southern Company has an outstanding 70-year track record of dividends and dividend growth," said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. "Today's action by the board speaks to the long-term strength of our business."