Exxon Becomes World’s Largest Dividend Payer With 21% Increase

Exxon Mobil Corp. increased its quarterly distribution to shareholders by 21 percent as oil prices remain above $100 a barrel, making the energy company the world’s biggest dividend payer.

Exxon, based in Irving, Texas, boosted its quarterly dividend to 57 cents a share from 47 cents, according to a statement yesterday. That means the company will pay $10.7 billion a year to shareholders, more than any other corporation, according to Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at Standard & Poor’s.