Ameren Corp. increases dividend

The board of directors of Ameren Corporation. Parent company of Peoria-based Ameren Illinois, has increased the utility company’s quarterly cash dividend.

The new dividend of41 cents a share is a 2.5 percent increase from the prior quarterly cash dividend of40 cents a share, resulting in an annualized equivalent dividend rate of$1.64 a share. The previous annualized equivalent dividend rate was$1.60 a share.

The common share dividend is payableDec. 31, 2014, to shareholders of record at the close of business onDec. 10, 2014.

"We are pleased to announce an increase in our fourth quarter 2014 dividend," saidWarner L. Baxter, Ameren Chairman, President and CEO. "This action reflects our confidence in the outlook for our regulated businesses and the increased financial stability resulting from the disposition of the merchant power business. We continue to expect compound annual earnings growth of 7 percent to 10 percent from 2013 to 2018. Future dividend increases will be driven by earnings growth, cash flows and other business conditions."

Separately, the board of directors of Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri, declared regular quarterly cash dividends on all classes of Union Electric Company's preferred stock. These preferred stock dividends are payableFeb. 15, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business onJan. 16, 2015.

In addition, the board of directors of Ameren Illinois Company declared regular quarterly cash dividends on all classes of Ameren Illinois Company's preferred stock. These preferred stock dividends are payableFeb. 2, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business onJan. 12, 2015.