Avista Corp. (AVA) will raise its quarterly dividend by 4.0 percent to $0.3875 per share in the first quarter of 2019. This follows a 4.2 percent dividend hike by the energy company last year.

The next common stock dividend is payable March 15, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 22, 2019.

“The dividend increase approved by the board of directors marks the seventeenth consecutive year the board has raised the dividend for our shareholders. I believe it demonstrates the board’s commitment to maximizing shareholder value,” said Avista Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott Morris.

Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses.  Avista Utilities is the company's operating division that provides customers with electric service and natural gas. Its service territory includes eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon. Alaska Energy and Resources Company is an Avista subsidiary that provides retail electric service in the city and borough of Juneau, Alaska, through its subsidiary Alaska Electric Light and Power Company.