Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. declared a quarterly dividend on Monday of 9 cents per share on its common stock.

The dividend will be payable Feb. 1 to stockholders of record as of the close of business Jan. 13. The price of a single share of Publix stock remained at $13.19, the price set Nov. 1. Adjusting for the 5-for-1 stock split on April 14, Publix shares started the year at $13.76 in March and rose to $14.91 in May before trending downward to $13.84 in August.

Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the United States, with its employees owning as much as 80% of its stock, according to the website fourweekmba.com. Founded in 1930 by George Jenkins, Publix's remaining stock is owned by the Jenkins family, including several who have worked in top management roles for the grocer. That 20% is valued at nearly $8.8 billion, Forbes magazine reported.

Publix shares are not publicly traded and are only available for purchase by employees and board members.

From NovemberPublix profit falls 54% even with higher sales. Company lowers stock price

In Haines CityWith housing developments exploding in east Haines City, a new Publix store is planned

“Publix doesn’t disclose how much stock the average employee owns," according the financial magazine Barron’s. “But Barron’s estimates the figure at more than $150,000 in stock, adjusting for roughly $9 billion reportedly held by the Jenkins family. Many longtime staff members are millionaires.”

Publix employs 240,000 people and operates 1,322 stores in seven Southeastern states with stores under construction in an eighth state, Kentucky.

Publix also operates 10 distribution centers, with seven in Florida and one each in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. It has 10 manufacturing facilities in Georgia and Florida and 33 warehouses. As of 2019, it had more than 1,225 truck drivers and nine dispatch locations within its seven-state operating area.

Further information about Publix stock visit corporate.publix.com/stock.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Publix will pay a stock dividend of 9 cents per share in February