Carnival Corporation hikes quarterly dividend

Carnival Corporation has increased its quarterly dividend for the second time this year as management expressed confidence in earnings growth and cash flows.

The London- and New York-listed cruise holidays giant upped the quarterly dividend 12% to $0.45 per share from the previous dividend amount of $0.40 per share.

"The increase in our quarterly dividend follows a 14% increase earlier this year reflecting continued confidence in our sustained earnings improvement and strong cash flow.

"The increased dividend, combined with our ongoing share repurchase program, affirms our continued commitment to return cash to shareholders," said chief financial officer David Bernstein.

Payment will be made in US dollars or sterling on 15 December, with a record date of 24 November and the US dollar exchange rate taken from that quoted by the Bank of England in London at midday on 1 December 2017.