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Updated Jan 04, 2024

Dividend Yield Calculator

Mike Berner
Written By: Mike BernerSenior Analyst & Expert on Business Operations
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For many people, dividend stocks are an essential part of a balanced retirement portfolio. When you understand the dividend yield, you can visualize how much cash a company is returning to shareholders as a percentage of the share price. Use this calculator to compute the annual dividend yield for an individual stock.

Key Terms

Dividend payment

This is the per-share payout that a company makes to its stockholders, usually on a quarterly basis.

Stock price

This is the current market price of the company’s stock.

Distribution frequency

This is the number of dividend payments per year. In most cases, companies pay dividends on a quarterly basis, but they may also distribute dividends annually or on a discretionary basis.

What is the dividend yield?

The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the sum of all dividend payments over the course of the year by a company’s stock price. It represents the percentage of the stock price that is returned to stockholders over the course of a year in the form of cash payments. For many investors, dividend payments represent a major portion of return on investment for a retirement portfolio.

Who qualifies for dividend payments?

You are eligible to receive a dividend payment if you owned the stock before the ex-dividend date. If you purchase the stock after the ex-dividend date, you will need to hold the stock until the next ex-dividend date to qualify for future dividend payments.

What factors affect dividend payments?

Dividends are distributed at the discretion of a company’s management and board of directors. Companies typically source dividend payments from earnings or borrowed funds. In many cases, dividend-paying stocks are mature, stable companies that sport a long track record of profitability. Not all stocks pay dividends. Less mature companies often reinvest profits to grow the business, rather than distribute excess earnings to stockholders.

Ultimately, a business’s ability to make dividend payments depends on its profitability. A successful company typically raises its dividend payments over time, while a company that encounters difficulties may be forced to cut or suspend dividend payments.

Are dividends taxed?

Qualified dividends are treated as capital gains by the IRS. You may owe 0%, 15% or 20% tax on income from dividends, depending on your tax bracket. In some cases, “ordinary dividends” are taxed at the less favorable ordinary income rate. However, you may not owe any tax if you hold dividend-paying stocks in a tax-deferred retirement account such as a 401(k) or Roth IRA.

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Mike Berner
Written By: Mike BernerSenior Analyst & Expert on Business Operations
Mike Berner brings to business.com over half a decade of experience as a finance expert, having previously served as an economic analyst for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His expertise lies in conducting quantitative analysis and research, providing invaluable guidance for navigating the modern financial landscape. Berner, who has a bachelor's degree in economics and a bachelor of business administration in finance, enjoys simplifying complicated financial concepts for entrepreneurs and business owners. From deciphering the intricacies of business loans and accounting to identifying the best payroll systems and credit card processors, he offers comprehensive insights tailored to meet diverse business needs. At business.com, Berner covers business plans, funding solutions, accounting software, the ins and outs of credit card processing and more. Beyond dedicating himself to exploring and evaluating the latest financial solutions, Berner has also become adept at explaining how businesses can take advantage of artificial intelligence tools. His passion for sharing knowledge extends to various platforms, including Substack, TikTok and YouTube, where he imparts tips and strategies on topics like sales tactics, savvy investing and tax saving.
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