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8-K - CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K - SOUTHWEST GAS CORPform8k22713.htm

 
 
February 27, 2013
Media Contact:  Sonya Headen  (702) 364-3411
Shareholder Contact:  Ken Kenny  (702) 876-7117
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SOUTHWEST GAS INCREASES THE QUARTERLY COMMON STOCK DIVIDEND
AND DECLARES SECOND QUARTER 2013 DIVIDEND


LAS VEGAS, NEV. – The Board of Directors for Southwest Gas Corporation (NYSE:  SWX) has increased the quarterly common stock dividend from $.295 per share to $.33 per share and has declared the following second quarter cash dividend:
 
 
Common Stock
 
       
 
Payable
June 3, 2013
 
 
Of Record
May 15, 2013
 
 
Dividend
$.33 per share
 


The dividend equates to $1.32 per share, a 14 cent or approximately 12 percent increase, on an annualized basis.  The Company has paid quarterly dividends continuously since going public in 1956, and has raised its dividend in each of the past seven years.  President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Shaw noted, “We are pleased with the improved and stable performance of our revenues, cash flows, and capital structure.  These factors, combined with the Company’s strong operating performance, have positioned us to again increase the dividend.  Dividend increases are necessary to facilitate competitive and reasonable returns for our shareholders.  Over time, the Board intends to increase

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Southwest Gas – Add 1
February 27, 2013



the dividend such that our payout ratio approaches our local distribution company peer group average while maintaining our strong credit ratings and our ability to effectively fund future rate base growth.  The timing and amount of any increases would be based upon the Board’s continual review of our dividend rate in the context of the performance of the Company’s two operating segments and their future growth prospects.”
 
About Southwest Gas
Southwest Gas Corporation provides natural gas service to approximately 1.9 million customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California.  For more information about Southwest Gas, please visit www.swgas.com.


This press release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act).  All such forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Reform Act.  A number of important factors affecting the business and financial results of the Company could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements.  These factors include, but are not limited to, future operating results, the effects of regulation/deregulation, the timing and amount of rate relief, and changes in rate design.



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