DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Rockwell Automation Inc.'s (ROK) board raised the quarterly dividend 21% to 35 cents a share. The move will increase Rockwell's annual payout by $34.2 million. Chairman and Chief Executive Keith Nosbusch said the higher dividend reflects the company's "solid financial position and our confidence in Rockwell Automation's strong, sustainable cash generation throughout business cycles." In April, Rockwell, which makes factory-automation equipment and software, reported its fiscal second-quarter profit more than tripled as architecture and software sales surged and margins widened. Dividends have been making a dramatic comeback, with 284 companies raising them in the first quarter, up 47% a year earlier, according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Service. Rockwell's shares closed at $54.74 on Thursday and were inactive after hours. The stock is up 17% this year. -By Kathy Shwiff, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2357; Kathy.Shwiff@dowjones.com
