Microsoft affirms dividend, backs meeting proposal

REDMOND, WASHINGTON: Microsoft Corp is holding its quarterly dividend steady and is backing a proposal allowing large shareholders to call special shareholder meetings.

The world's biggest software company declared a quarterly dividend of 13 cents per share late Wednesday, unchanged from the previous quarter. The dividend is payable Sept. 10 to stockholders on record as of Aug. 20.

The company also says its board has recommended approval of a proposal giving any shareholder with at least a 25 percent stake the right to call special shareholder meetings.

The proposal will be put to a vote at the company's annual shareholder meeting in November.