Southern Company announced it is increasing its dividend by 8 cents per share on an annualized basis to a rate of $2.48 per share.

This marks the 18^th consecutive year that Southern Company has raised the dividend on its common stock.

Southern Company also announced today a regular quarterly dividend – including the increase of 2 cents per share over the prior quarter – of 62 cents per share, payable June 6, 2019, to shareholders of record as of May 20, 2019. Today's action by the board ensures Southern Company will have paid a dividend to its shareholders that is equal to or greater than the previous quarter every quarter dating back to 1948.

"Today's action by our board of directors reinforces the strength and sustainability of Southern Company's business," said Southern Company chairman, president and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. "For decades, our dividends, dividend growth and overall shareholder value proposition have been supported by an outstanding portfolio of energy businesses."