"Our board continually evaluates the best way to return cash to our shareholders," Anderson said. "We're not religious when it comes to dividends."
Some companies have said they prefer to use their cash to buy stock. In August, Cisco said it boosted a share-buyback plan by US$5 billion to a total of US$8 billion. It has repurchased US$3 billion of the shares since announcing the buyback in September 2001.
Microsoft had previously said it was using cash to buy its stock rather than issuing a dividend. The company also said it was conserving cash to pay for legal costs in its antitrust case and Connors told in-vestors on a conference call on Thursday it was possible the software maker would increase the dividend in the future as it clears up its legal troubles.
Oracle CFO Jeff Henley has said buying back stock was a more tax-efficient way for the company to increase shareholder value.
Other computer-related companies are leaving the door open.
Yahoo is considering a dividend, CFO Susan Decker said. Dell chief executive Michael Dell has said his company, which reported US$9.1 billion in cash and investments at the end of its fiscal third quarter, may consider a dividend plan.
Oracle spokeswoman Jennifer Glass said Thursday that the software maker hasn't announced plans for a dividend.
Earlier this month, Henley said the company would consider paying its first dividend if Bush's proposal is enacted.
RSS