UnitedHealth Group Inc. announced that it is sharply raising its dividend and will make payouts more frequently. The Minnetonka, MN-based insurer raised its annual dividend to 50 cents per share, to be paid quarterly. The first payout of 12.5 cents per share will be made June 21 to all shareholders who've held the stock for at least two weeks. Coming in the midst of a restructuring of the healthcare system, the move should pacify shareholders wondering if the company will see profits squeezed by new regulations, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
