Avery said its board authorizerda two for one stock split, an increased in the quarterly
dividend and plans to offer four mln shares of common stock.
    The company said the stock split is effective March 16 with
a distribution of one additional share to each shareholder of
record March 9.
    It said the quarterly cash dividend of 10.5 cts per share
on the split shares, a 10.5 pct increase from the 19 cts per
share before the split.
    Avery said it will register with the Securities and
Exchange Commission shrortly to offer four mln additional
common shares. It will use the proceeds to repay debt, finance
recent acquisitions and for other corporate purposes.
 Reuter
