USA: H. J. Heinz announces quarterly dividend

Branded food giant H. J. Heinz Company has declared a quarterly dividend of 40.5 US cents per share on the company's 25 cent par value Common Stock, and 42.5 US cents per share on the company's Third Cumulative Preferred Stock, US$1.70 First Series. The board of directors at the Pittsburgh company revealed at a meeting held yesterday [Wednesday] that the dividends will be payable on the common stock on 10 April, to shareholders on record at the close of business on 25 March 2002. The Preferred Stock dividend is payable 1 April to shareholders on record at the close of business on 25 March 2002.