Ellington raises Q4 dividend to 77c per share, declared 75c special dividend

Ellington Financial announced that its board has declared a dividend for 4Q12 of 77c per share and a special dividend for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 of 75c per share, both payable on March 15 to shareholders of record as of March 1. Subject to the ultimate discretion of the board, the company's management expects to continue to recommend quarterly dividends of 77c per share until conditions warrant otherwise. In addition, at the end of any year, the board will take into account the company's earnings and other factors and will consider whether to declare a special dividend.