Ball Corporation (BALL -0.79%) has announced a hefty raise in its quarterly dividend. The company is to pay out $0.13 per share, a 30% improvement over the previous disbursement. The new dividend is to be paid March 15 to shareholders of record as of the end of March 1.

In the press release announcing the move, the firm quoted its CFO Scott Morrison as saying that:

This dividend increase returns value to our shareholders while maintaining financial flexibility, and reflects management's expectations of continued improved performance by the company.

Ball Corporation is to release its Q4 and fiscal 2012 results in a conference call Thursday morning.