Dividend Metrics
Cash paid to shareholders, and whether that payout looks sustainable. 13 topics.
Dividend Per Share (DPS)
The cash dividend declared for each share over a period.
Dividend Yield
The annual dividend per share divided by the current share price, expressed as a percentage.
Dividend Payout Ratio
The share of earnings paid out as dividends.
Dividend Coverage Ratio
Earnings, or free cash flow, divided by the dividend. The inverse of the payout idea, stated as a multiple.
Dividend Growth Rate
The rate at which the dividend per share increases.
Interim Dividend
A dividend declared during the year, before the full-year results and usually before the annual general meeting.
Final Dividend
The dividend recommended at the end of the year, usually paid after shareholders approve it at the AGM.
Special Dividend
A one-time dividend paid out of surplus cash, an asset sale, or an unusually strong year. It is not part of the regular rate.
Ex-Dividend Date
The first date on which the shares trade without the right to the declared dividend.
Record Date
The date on which the company looks at its register and decides who is entitled to the dividend or other corporate action.
Payment Date
The date the dividend cash is actually paid to entitled shareholders.
Dividend Reinvestment
Using the dividend cash to buy more shares, either through a formal plan or by the investor acting alone.
Dividend Sustainability
Whether the current dividend can continue without starving the business or relying on new debt.