Stockholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock Repurchase Program

In May 2010, j2 Global’s Board of Directors approved a program authorizing the repurchase of up to ten million shares of the Company’s common stock through the end of April 30, 2012 (the “2010 Program”). Effective February 15, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors terminated and replaced this 2010 Program with a program authorizing the repurchase of up to five million shares of our common stock through February 20, 2013.  On February 15, 2012, we entered into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan with a broker to facilitate this new repurchase program. During the six month period ended June 30, 2012, 2.1 million shares were repurchased at an aggregated cost of $58.6 million (including an immaterial amount of commission fees). j2 Global has accounted for these repurchases using the cost method. 

Periodically, participants in j2 Global’s stock plans surrender to the Company shares of j2 Global stock to pay the exercise price or to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock. During the three month period ended June 30, 2012, the Company purchased 6,687 shares from plan participants for this purpose. See Item II, Part 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Dividends

On February 14, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share of common stock payable on March 12, 2012 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 27, 2012. On May 2, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.215 per share of common stock payable on May 30, 2012 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 16, 2012. On July 31, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share of common stock payable on August 29, 2012 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 13, 2012. Future dividends will be subject to Board approval.