Along with its fiscal second-quarter earnings report on Thursday afternoon, ski and lodging company Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN) provided an update on its plans for returning capital to shareholders. The more aggressive plan included a higher quarterly dividend payment and a larger share repurchase program. The enhanced capital-return program highlights the company's strong balance sheet and the underlying business' ability to throw off heaps of cash.

Here's a closer look at Vail's dividend -- and why shareholders should love it.

On Thursday, Vail said it was increasing its quarterly cash dividend to shareholders to $2.06. The quarterly payout is up 8% from the company's previous quarterly dividend.

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Source Fool.com