Ford Board Meeting Ends With No Word on Mulally

Ford’s board of directors has ended a two-day quarterly meeting without issuing a public statement on the future of CEO Alan Mulally.

Microsoft Corp. is reportedly considering Mulally as a replacement for CEO Steve Ballmer, who is due to step down next year.

Spokesman Jay Cooney said Ford couldn’t comment on the board’s discussions. But he said there is no change in Mulally’s plan to remain at Ford through at least the end of 2014.

Ford also wouldn’t say whether Microsoft is talking to Mulally.

The board did announce that Ford would pay a 10-cent dividend in the fourth quarter. Ford doubled its quarterly dividend to 10 cents in the first quarter of this year.

Ford Motor Co.’s shares rose 31 cents, or nearly 2 percent, to close at $16.93.