Capstead Mortgage Increases Dividend To 56 Cents

DALLAS (AP) — Capstead Mortgage Corp. said Thursday it will pay a first quarter dividend of 56 cents per share on April 20 to shareholders of record as of March 31.

The company paid 36 cents in the fourth quarter, the smallest dividend of 2008, after lowering it from 55 cents paid in earlier quarters.

The company said government actions to support the market for agency-guaranteed residential mortgage securities have helped create greater demand and higher prices for securities the company holds. That improved the book value and availability of financing, Chief Executive Andrew F. Jacobs said in a statement. ...