Ameren Corporation (AEE) will raise its quarterly dividend by 3.5 percent to $0.44 per share in the fourth quarter of 2016. This follows a 3.7 percent dividend hike last year by the utility holding company.

The next common share dividend is payable December 30, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 7, 2016. The ex-date for this next dividend of 44 cents per share is December 5, 2016.

"We are pleased to announce an increase in our fourth quarter 2016 dividend," said Warner L. Baxter, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameren Corporation. "This action reflects confidence in the outlook for our businesses and our ability to achieve our long-term earnings and rate base growth plans. Future dividend increases will be driven by earnings growth, cash flows and other business conditions."

Ameren currently has an indicated dividend yield of 3.7%.

Ameren Corporation is a utility holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, generates electricity, delivers electricity, and distributes natural gas to customers in Missouri and Illinois.