Beckman Instruments Raises Dividend

Beckman Instruments Inc.’s board has increased the company’s quarterly dividend and extended through 1998 the company’s program to buy back up to 1 million shares a year.

The dividend, which was increased to 13 cents a share from 11 cents a share, is payable March 7 to shareholders of record Feb. 16.

The company, which develops and markets automated systems and supplies used for biological analysis, said the stock buyback program is used to fund existing stock-oriented employee benefit plans.

The original buyback program was authorized three years ago, and expired Dec. 31, a company spokesman said.