When you invest in the stocks of a company, you become a part-owner of its business. As a part-owner, you get a share in its profits. These profits are called dividends of a stock.
The company's dividend policy determines how a company would execute its dividend payouts on shares in India.
Let us look at how dividends are paid in India, the norms, and some essential dividend-related terms.
When trying to answer the question of: “how are dividends paid in India”, it is essential to understand the two major types of dividends: interim and final.
A company can announce this dividend based on its quarterly or half-yearly performance. The interim dividend is the one that is announced before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the announcement of the earnings results of the company. The dividend issuing company can cancel or modify the interim dividend anytime after they are announced.
The final dividend is the annual dividend announcement of the company that is declared based on the company's performance for that financial year. These dividends are announced along with the company's results. A company cannot cancel the final dividend after they announce it.
For these two categories, dividend payments in India can be divided into the following types:
The dividend payment process in India can be divided into four important dates. These dates are the dividend declaration date, the date of record, the ex-dividend date and the payment date. Let's understand the significance of each of these dividend payment dates.
Companies announce dividends (both interim and final) through their board of directors. On the dividend declaration date, an intention to pay the dividend is sent to investors, and this date is recorded for accounting purposes.
The company declares the dividend date and reviews shareholders for payment eligibility on the same day. Only "holders of record" are eligible for dividends. The company then determines the ex-dividend date.
The company only pays dividends to investors who purchased its shares before the ex-dividend date. An investor who has purchased the company's shares after the ex-dividend date is not eligible to receive the dividend.
The company declares the dividend payment date on the dividend declaration date itself. The payment date is the final stage of dividend payout in India. At this date, the company distributes dividends to its shareholders.
This is the process of four levels through which dividend payments are made in India.
Dividend payments in India are announced based on the following questions:
Profits are the most important factor on which a company's dividends are based. The higher the profits, the higher the potential dividends.
Another factor is whether the company is a dividend stock. If a company has a long history of dividend payments, then its dividend amount will be stable. This encourages investors looking to make stock investments to earn regular dividends.
A company's dividend also depends on how much dividend other similar businesses pay to their shareholders. Generally, to retain their shareholders, companies pay competitive or industry-matching dividends.
Sometimes, a company might have plans for business expansion. In such cases, the company might not pay dividends. They would rather reinvest their profits into their business to fund their expansion.
Dividends retain shareholders and benefit both investors and businesses. They provide investors with a second source of earnings and demonstrate the financial strength and stability of a company. In India, dividends are announced based on the company’s performance, other companies’ dividend trends, and the ability to reinvest. Regular dividends sustain investor trust and can attract new investors seeking consistent earnings.
You will receive dividend payments in your registered bank account. You can invest in dividend stocks with a history of regular dividend payouts. You will receive the declared dividend on the dividend payment date.
You will be eligible to receive dividends only if you have purchased a company's shares before its ex-dividend date is declared.
There is a limit on the dividend payment made for share dividends. The amount of dividend to be paid in terms of stocks is limited to 20% of the previous issue of shares. This norm is relaxed in case of stock splits by the company.
Periodic and industry-matching dividends are considered good by investors. Investors prefer dividend stocks to regular ones because they can offer periodic dividends.
The announcement date is also known as the declaration date. It is when a company declares it will pay its shareholders dividends. It includes information on the dividend amount, record date, and payment date.
No, all shareholders are not guaranteed to receive dividends. Dividends are usually paid to shareholders who hold the company's stock before the record date. Shareholders who purchase shares after the record date do not typically get dividends. The dividend paid to each shareholder is proportional to the number of shares they hold.
Dividends are typically paid to shareholders who hold shares of a company's stock. In most cases, if you own shares in a publicly traded company, you are entitled to receive dividends if the company declares and pays them.
