Dividend Calendar is a schedule that shows when companies are expected to pay dividends to shareholders.
Dividends are portions of a company’s profits distributed to investors, usually in cash. Traders and investors use a dividend calendar to track important dividend-related dates.
For example, dividend-paying companies like Coca-Cola or Johnson & Johnson are commonly followed by income investors.
Key dates in a Dividend Calendar
A dividend calendar usually includes four important dates:
| Date | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Declaration Date | Company announces the dividend |
| Ex-Dividend Date | Must own the stock before this date to receive the dividend |
| Record Date | Company checks who owns shares |
| Payment Date | Dividend money is paid |
Most important: Ex-Dividend Date
The ex-dividend date is the key date traders watch.
If you buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, you usually receive the dividend.
If you buy on or after the ex-dividend date, the seller gets the dividend instead.
Example
Suppose Microsoft announces:
- Dividend: $0.75/share
- Ex-dividend date: June 10
- Payment date: July 1
If you own 100 shares before June 10:
- You receive: 100×0.75=75
100×0.75=75
So you would get $75 in dividends on July 1.
Why traders and investors use Dividend Calendars
Income investors
Track upcoming payments for passive income.
Dividend capture traders
Try to buy before the ex-dividend date and sell afterward.
Long-term investors
Monitor dividend growth and company stability.
ETF investors
Estimate upcoming cash distributions.
Information typically shown
A dividend calendar may include:
- Company name
- Dividend amount
- Dividend yield
- Ex-dividend date
- Payment date
- Frequency (quarterly/monthly/annual)
Popular dividend calendar websites
- Nasdaq Dividend Calendar
- Investing.com Dividend Calendar
