Wal-Mart (WMT) Raises Annual Dividend 21 Percent

Shares of Wal-Mart were in the positive Thursday, jumping early in the trading session in response to the increase in its annual dividend by 21 percent.

Wal-Mart's board raised the dividend to $1.46 a share, up from the former $1.21 a share. On a quarterly basis the dividend will now stand at 36.5 cents a share.

The dividend yield for the retail giant will be at 2.81 percent.

Those qualifying to be paid a dividend will be shareholders of record as of March 11, which will be paid on April 4.

Wal-Mart closed Thursday at $52.01, up $0.04, or 0.08 percent.