Merck lifts quarterly dividend a penny to 43 cents

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. (AP) — Drugmaker Merck & Co. Inc. said Tuesday it is raising its quarterly dividend by 2.4 percent to 43 cents from 42 cents.

The company's next dividend is payable Jan. 8 to shareholders of record on Dec. 17.

Merck said it last raised its quarterly dividend in November 2011.

In afternoon trading, shares of the company fell 15 cents to $44.05.