Ball Corporation (BLL) will raise its quarterly dividend to $0.20 per share, adjusted for the upcoming stock split that was also announced today.

"The dividend increase represents the initial step in our return of value to shareholders following our 2016 global beverage acquisition, and reflects management's expectations of significant free cash flow generation and earnings improvement in 2017 and beyond," said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We will announce our first quarter earnings on May 4, 2017, and will provide additional information on our progress to date." Conference call details are below.

The distribution date for the stock split will be May 16, 2017, in the form of a 100-percent stock dividend, to shareholders of record on May 8, 2017. The post-split cash dividend of 10 cents per share is payable June 15, 2017, to shareholders of record on June 1, 2017.

Ball Corporation is a supplier of metal packaging to the beverage, food, personal care and household products industries.  Its major product line is aluminum and steel beverage containers. Its aerospace business designs, develops and manufactures aerospace systems for civil, commercial and national cyber security aerospace markets.