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How are Dividends Paid on Shares in India?

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Created on
July 7, 2022

Summary

What’s Inside

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.

What are the Types of Dividends Paid in India?

When trying to answer the question  “How are dividends paid in India?”, it is essential to understand the two major types of dividends: interim and final.

1. Interim Dividend

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.

2. Final Dividend

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:

Type of Dividend

Description

Cash Dividends

Companies pay shareholders a fixed cash amount per share.

Stock Dividends

Companies issue bonus stocks to shareholders, up to 25% of previously issued shares. More can be issued in case of a stock split.

Property Dividends

Companies issue shares of subsidiary companies as property dividends.

Scrip Dividends

Companies offer scrips or promissory notes for future payment of dividends if they are unable to pay cash dividends.

How Do Companies in India Pay Dividends?

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.

1. Dividend Declaration Date

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.

2. Date of Record

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.

3. 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.

4. Payment Date

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.

On Which Basis Are Dividends Announced in India?

Dividend payments in India are announced based on the following questions:

1. Is the company making profits?

Profits are the most important factor on which a company's dividends are based. The higher the profits, the higher the potential dividends.

2. Does the company always pay 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.

3. What are the dividend trends of similar industries?

A company's dividend also depends on how much dividend other similar businesses pay their shareholders. Generally, to retain their shareholders, companies pay competitive or industry-matching dividends.

4. Is the company planning to reinvest its earnings?

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.

Summing up

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I receive dividend payments?

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.

2. Is there a limit on dividend payments?

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.

3. What is a good dividend payment?

Periodic and industry-matching dividends are considered good by investors. Investors prefer dividend stocks to regular ones because they can offer periodic dividends.

4. What is the announcement date for a dividend?

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.

5. Is the dividend paid to all shareholders?

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.

6. Dividend is paid to which shareholders?

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.

Disclaimer

Investment and securities are subject to market risks. Please read all the related documents carefully before investing. The contents of this article are for informational purposes only, and not to be taken as a recommendation to buy or sell securities, mutual funds, or any other financial products.
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