NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
Intel Corp. is eyeing returning some of its cash to shareholders, according to a published report.
Intel Chief Financial Officer Andy Bryant told the Financial Times that the company's outside directors are advocating returning cash to shareholders.
"The question is how to do it and by how much," he said. He said a decision was not imminent.
The statement comes in the wake of Microsoft's announcement that it would pay a special dividend of $3 a share, at a total cost of $32 billion. It also announced plans to buy back $30 billion of company stock in the next four years, and it raised its regular dividend to 8 cents a quarter from 4 cents previously.
Bryant said Intel is considering all three options to return cash to its shareholders.
Intel had about $16.7 billion in cash, short-term investments and trading assets on its books as of June 26, according to its most recent earnings statement. That's up $1.2 billion from the end of the previous quarter.
Intel pays a 4-cents-a-share quarterly dividend, which is double the dividend it paid in 2003. It has paid a cash dividend since 1992.
Shares of Intel (INTC: Research, Estimates) lost 60 cents to $22.67 in trading Friday.
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