NATIONAL FUEL GAS <NFG> SETS SPLIT, HIGHER PAYOUT
National Fuel Gas Co said its board has
approved a two-for-one stock split and will consider an
increased cash dividend at its June meeting.
    The company also said management will recommend, at the
June board meeting, an increase of 12 cts per share in the
current annual dividend rate of 2.28 dlrs a share, raising it
to 2.40 dlrs per share, or 1.20 dlrs a share after the split.
    National Fuel Gas said the split will be paid to holders of
record May 29.  A spokeswoman said the distribution date for
the split has not been determined.
    The company said the split is subject to approval of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Public Utility
Holding Act. The company now has 11,928,871 shares outstanding.
            
 Reuter
