Dividend Aristocrat Medtronic (MDT) will raise its quarterly dividend by 7 percent to $0.46 per share. The dividend is payable on July 26, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 7, 2017.

"Today's increase in our dividend demonstrates the confidence of the board and our management team in the strength of the company's cash flow generation and the ability to generate value for our shareholders," said Omar Ishrak, Medtronic chairman and chief executive officer this Friday. "We are committed to returning a minimum of 50 percent of our free cash flow each year through dividends and share repurchases, balancing the return of cash to our shareholders with disciplined reinvestment in our business to drive sustainable growth."

Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a medical technology, services, and solutions company.  The company has four operating segments that primarily develop, manufacture, distribute, and sell device-based medical therapies and services: Cardiac and Vascular Group, Minimally Invasive Therapies Group, Restorative Therapies Group and Diabetes Group. The company's primary customers include hospitals, clinics, third-party health care providers, distributors, and other institutions, including governmental health care programs and group purchasing organizations (GPOs). Medtronic was founded in 1949 and has paid a dividend every year since 1977.