Aqua America raises quarterly dividend 9%

Aqua America Inc., the Bryn Mawr water utility, on Thursday increased its quarterly dividend 9 percent, from 17.5 cents per share to 19 cents, and declared a 5-for-4 stock split.

Both the dividend increase and the stock split will go into effect Sept. 1 to shareholders of record on Aug. 16.

Aqua, which serves 3 million customers in 10 states, has experienced robust earnings growth in the last year. Its stock price also has increased 43 percent over the last 12 months during a broad-based bull market for dividend-bearing stocks.

The company's shares were trading up 1.2 percent Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange at $32.24, up 37 cents.