Leggett & Platt declares 1Q dividend

Carthage-based Leggett & Platt's board of directors declared a 25-cent-per-share dividend for the first quarter.

The dividend will be paid April 15 to shareholders of record on March 13.

Earlier this month, the furnishings manufacturer reported a fourth-quarter loss of $18 million but a $104.4 million profit for 2008.

"Leggett & Platt continues to view dividends as a key element of its goal to consistently achieve total shareholder return within the top one-third of the S&P 500," board Chairman Richard T. Fisher said in a news release. "The company is proud of its 37-year record of dividend increases and hopes to extend that record well into the future."

Shares (NYSE: LEG) closed Friday at $12.26, compared to a 52-week range of $11.98 to $24.60.