How often do dividend stocks pay, and what is an interim dividend?

Annual dividend

Paid out of the whole year's profit. Under Thai public company law, a dividend must be approved by the shareholders' meeting, so the XD date of an annual dividend usually comes after the annual meeting, which many companies hold in March or April.

Interim dividend

The board can approve an interim dividend itself when it judges that profit is sufficient, and then reports it to the next shareholders' meeting. It is usually announced after the half-year or quarterly results. A company that pays both gives you two dividends a year.

Why you must add every payout

If you work out yield from one payout, a company that pays twice looks lower than it really is, and you cannot compare it with one that pays once. Always add every payout in the last 12 months. See yield on cost and a high dividend yield doesn't always mean a good stock.

How to get cash coming in more often

Hold several stocks that pay in different months, and cash arrives almost every month. Use the XD calendar (Thai) to see who pays when. More in monthly dividend stocks in Thailand.

FAQ

It paid twice this year. Will it next year?

Nobody can promise that. Companies set their own policy and change it with profit. Look at several years of history, not one.

Do I need to buy before the XD date of every payout?

Yes. Each payout has its own XD date and payment date. To receive one, you must hold the stock before that payout's XD date. See what is an XD date.

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