Understanding Dividend Yield

Dividend yield is a financial ratio

what is dividend yield? return on investment for a stock without any capital gains, measures cash flow received for every dollar invested in an equity position
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The Balance / Alison Czinkota

Not all the tools of fundamental analysis work for every investor on every stock. If you're looking for high-growth technology stocks, they're not likely to turn up in any stock screens you might run looking for dividend-paying characteristics. However, if you're a value investor or looking for dividend income, a couple of measurements are specific to you.

One of the telling metrics for dividend investors is dividend yield, which is a financial ratio that shows how much a company pays out in dividends each year relative to its share price.

Dividend Yield Formula

Dividend yield is shown as a percentage and calculated by dividing the dollar value of dividends paid per share in a particular year by the dollar value of one share of stock.

Note

Dividend yield equals the annual dividend per share divided by the stock's price per share. For example, if a company's annual dividend is $1.50 and the stock trades at $25, the dividend yield is 6% ($1.50 ÷ $25).

Yields for a current year can be estimated using the previous year's dividend or by multiplying the latest quarterly dividend by 4, then dividing by the current share price.

Understanding Dividend Yield

Dividend yield is a method used to measure the amount of cash flow you're getting back for each dollar you invest in an equity position. In other words, it's a measurement of how much bang for your buck you're getting from dividends. The dividend yield is essentially the return on investment for a stock without any capital gains.

Suppose company ABC's stock is trading at $20 and pays yearly dividends of $1 per share to its shareholders. Also, suppose that company XYZ's stock is trading at $40 and also pays annual dividends of $1 per share. Company ABC's dividend yield is 5% (1 ÷ 20), while XYZ's dividend yield is only 2.5% (1 ÷ 40). Assuming all other factors are equivalent, an investor looking to use their portfolio to supplement their income would likely prefer ABC's stock over that of XYZ, as it has double the dividend yield.

Note

Investors who need a minimum cash flow from their investments can secure it by investing in stocks paying high, stable dividend yields.

Older, well-established companies usually pay out a higher percentage in dividends than younger companies, and older companies' dividend history is also generally more consistent.

Be Aware of Too-High Yields

Keep in mind that paying out high dividends can also cost a company growth potential. Every dollar a company pays out to its shareholders is money that the company isn't reinvesting in itself to make capital gains.

Ask yourself why a yield might be high, then investigate a little. Sometimes a high dividend yield is the result of a stock's price tanking. The yield will mathematically rise because the price is dropping, a scenario often referred to as a "value trap." Find out why the stock's price has dropped. If the company is suffering financial woes, you might want to steer clear of this investment, but do your homework to be sure.

Note

Background influences such as an ailing economy can be an influence as well. Homebuilder stocks plummeted during the 2009 recession, for instance. This type of situation has no quick fix, but other issues might. The company could rebound—even sooner rather than later—so it's important to understand what might be causing declines.

You'll also want to be aware of the type of company you're investing in because some dividend yields are unnaturally high. Master limited partnerships (MLPs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs) are two examples. These types of companies are required by law to distribute a very significant percentage of their earnings to shareholders, resulting in higher dividend yields. This doesn't necessarily make REITs and MLPs bad deals, however. Some dividend investors love them.

Finally, some companies manipulate their growth costs, at least temporarily, to lure investors. It's a good idea to track dividend yields over time to gain a clearer focus on what's going on.

The Bottom Line

A good dividend yield can be a good measure when evaluating stocks for investment purposes. But it doesn't always mean a strong company. Look beyond the number at just one moment in time and be sure to look at the industry and the company's dividend yield over an extended period. You want to know there's some consistency, and it's not just a one-time fluke.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why would you want a stock with high dividend yields?

There are two ways to make money from investing, income and capital gains. Dividends represent the income side of that equation. The higher the dividend yield, the more income you will receive for each dollar you invest.

Are dividend yields higher when the stock market is low?

Dividend yields may spike after a stock market decline, but if the market decline reflects fundamental economic issues, then a company will likely reduce its dividends and bring the yield back into a normal range.

What is the ex-dividend date?

The ex-dividend date is the date by which an investor is excluded from the next dividend, meaning the stock must be purchased before the ex-dividend date. When a company announces a dividend, it will also set an ex-dividend date. If you sell the stock before the ex-dividend date, you will not receive the dividend payment.

What is a qualified dividend?

Qualified dividends refer to the tax treatment of certain dividends. Qualified dividends are taxed at a lower rate than regular dividends, similar to how long-term capital gains are taxed at a lower rate than short-term gains. Qualified dividends typically apply to U.S. company stock that an investor has held for more than 60 days. Some foreign companies may also qualify.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)."

  2. U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. "Inquiry Regarding the Commission’s Policy for Recovery of Income Tax Costs," Pages 2-4.

  3. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Ex-Dividend Dates."

  4. Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 550 (2020), Investment Income and Expenses."

  5. Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 404 Dividends."

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