Apr 16, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. The Board of Directors of Sonoco declared a $ 0.27 per share quarterly common stock dividend, an increase from $ 0.26 per share. The dividend will be payable June 10, 2008, to shareholders of record as of May 16, 2008. According to Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., chairman, president and CEO, this is the 26th consecutive year that Sonoco has increased common stock dividends and 332nd consecutive quarter, dating back to 1925, that the Company has paid dividends to shareholders. Based on the Company's closing common stock price on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, of $29.41, Sonoco's projected new annualized dividend of $1.08 per share provides a yield of approximately 3.7%. "This dividend increase demonstrates the Board of Director's confidence in Sonoco's strong balance sheet, continued profitable growth and cash generation capabilities, and commitment to building value for our shareholders," said DeLoach. Sonoco is a $4 billion global manufacturer of industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services, with 334 operations in 35 countries, serving customers in some 85 nations.