CompanyGraph
Measures cash distributed to ordinary shareholders, exposing the actual capital returned to equity holders rather than reinvested.
Common dividends paid are the cash payments made to ordinary shareholders. Regular dividends can signal confidence and reward investors, but high payouts leave less cash to reinvest in the business.
Common dividends paid are the cash payments made to ordinary shareholders. Regular dividends can signal confidence and reward investors, but high payouts leave less cash to reinvest in the business.
Types of dividend payments:
- Regular dividends: Quarterly or annual distributions from ongoing profits
- Special dividends: One-time payments from excess cash or asset sales
- Variable dividends: Payments that fluctuate with earnings or commodity prices
Why dividends matter:
- Income source: Provides regular cash returns to shareholders
- Signal of health: Consistent dividends indicate stable cash generation
- Discipline: Commitment to dividends constrains wasteful spending
- Total return component: Dividends contribute significantly to long-term returns
Dividend sustainability analysis:
- Payout ratio: Dividends as percentage of earnings; very high ratios may be unsustainable
- Free cash flow coverage: Can free cash flow fund the dividend?
- Dividend history: Track record of growth, stability, or cuts
- Balance sheet strength: Companies with high debt may prioritise debt service over dividends
Dividend cuts often cause sharp share price declines, so understanding dividend sustainability is important for income-focused investors.
How it relates
Long-term Debt IssuanceLong-term debt issuance is the cash received from taking on new long-term loans or bonds. It increases cash today but also increases future obligations to pay interest and repay the debt.−Long-term Debt PaymentsLong-term debt payments are the cash outflows used to repay long-term loans or bonds. They reduce debt and interest costs over time but use up cash in the period.+Net Short-term Debt IssuanceNet short-term debt issuance shows the net cash from borrowing and repaying short-term debt. Positive values mean the company has borrowed more than it repaid; negative values mean it has paid back more than it borrowed.−Common Stock RepurchaseCommon stock repurchase is the cash used to buy back the company's own shares from the market. This reduces the number of shares outstanding and can support the share price, but it also uses cash that could have been spent elsewhere.−Common Dividends Paid
Where it fits
Net IncomeNet income is the final profit after subtracting all expenses, interest and taxes. It is the bottom line of the income statement and represents the earnings available to shareholders.→Common Dividends Paid→Forward Annual Dividend YieldForward annual dividend yield is the expected dividend over the next year divided by the current share price. It shows the future income return as a percentage of today's price.
Free Cash FlowFree cash flow is the cash a company has left after paying its everyday costs and the investments needed to keep the business running. It is the money that can be used to pay down debt, pay dividends, buy back shares or invest in new projects.→Common Dividends Paid
Common Dividends Paid→DividendA dividend is a distribution of a company's earnings to shareholders, typically paid in cash on a regular schedule as a way to share profits with investors.