Deere increases its quarterly dividend 12% to 46 cents a share

Deere & Co., the world's largest maker of agricultural equipment, raised its quarterly dividend by about 12 percent to 46 cents a share from 41 cents.

“We remain confident in the company's prospects,” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Samuel R. Allen said today in a statement. “We are committed to our plans to fund organic growth and return cash directly to our shareholders.”

The company is holding its annual shareholder meeting today at its headquarters in Moline.