Dividend Per Share
The Portion of Earnings Distributed to Each Outstanding Common Share
Dividend Per Share (DPS) is the total amount of dividends declared by a company for every ordinary (common) share outstanding during a specific period, usually a fiscal year or quarter. It represents the actual cash (or occasionally stock) payout that shareholders receive per share held. DPS is a key indicator of a company's dividend policy, profitability, and commitment to returning capital to shareholders, making it essential for income-focused investors and dividend growth analysis.
What is Dividend Per Share?
Dividend Per Share (DPS) measures the sum of all dividends (regular and special) paid out to common shareholders divided by the number of common shares outstanding. It is typically reported on an annual basis but can also be shown quarterly.
DPS only includes dividends on common stock—preferred dividends are subtracted earlier in the income statement to arrive at net income available to common shareholders. This metric directly impacts shareholder returns and is a core component of dividend yield (DPS ÷ Share Price).
Companies with consistent or growing DPS are often favored by income investors and dividend growth strategies.
How Dividend Per Share is Calculated
There are two primary ways DPS appears in financial reporting:
The share count used is usually the basic weighted average shares (not diluted), as dividends are paid only on actual outstanding shares, not potential dilutive securities.
Key Points in Calculation
- Includes regular quarterly dividends and any special/one-time dividends.
- Based on declared dividends (not necessarily paid in the same period).
- Excludes preferred stock dividends (already deducted from net income).
- May be adjusted for stock splits or dividends in historical comparisons.
Tip: Check the cash flow statement's 'dividends paid' line and footnotes for exact declaration details.
Examples of Dividend Per Share
Example 1: Stable Quarterly Dividend
Example 2: Including Special Dividend
Growing DPS over time (e.g., from $1.80 to $2.00 to $2.20) is a hallmark of 'dividend aristocrats'.
Importance in Financial Analysis
DPS is critical for several reasons:
Key Analytical Uses
- Dividend Yield = DPS ÷ Current Share Price – measures income return.
- Payout Ratio = DPS ÷ EPS – shows sustainability (lower ratio = more sustainable).
- Dividend Growth Rate – tracks management's confidence in future cash flows.
- Total Shareholder Return – combines DPS with capital appreciation.
A rising DPS often signals strong free cash flow and shareholder-friendly management. Conversely, cuts or suspensions can be a red flag for financial distress.
Warning: High DPS driven by special dividends or unsustainable payouts can mislead—always assess alongside payout ratio and cash flow.
Key Takeaways
Dividend Per Share is the actual cash dividend paid per common share outstanding.
Calculated as total common dividends divided by weighted average basic shares.
Core input for dividend yield, payout ratio, and dividend growth analysis.
Rising DPS reflects confidence in sustainable cash generation.
Investors should evaluate DPS sustainability using earnings and free cash flow coverage.
Dividend Per Share
The Portion of Earnings Distributed to Each Outstanding Common Share
Dividend Per Share (DPS) is the total amount of dividends declared by a company for every ordinary (common) share outstanding during a specific period, usually a fiscal year or quarter. It represents the actual cash (or occasionally stock) payout that shareholders receive per share held. DPS is a key indicator of a company's dividend policy, profitability, and commitment to returning capital to shareholders, making it essential for income-focused investors and dividend growth analysis.
Table of Contents
What is Dividend Per Share?
Dividend Per Share (DPS) measures the sum of all dividends (regular and special) paid out to common shareholders divided by the number of common shares outstanding. It is typically reported on an annual basis but can also be shown quarterly.
DPS only includes dividends on common stock—preferred dividends are subtracted earlier in the income statement to arrive at net income available to common shareholders. This metric directly impacts shareholder returns and is a core component of dividend yield (DPS ÷ Share Price).
Companies with consistent or growing DPS are often favored by income investors and dividend growth strategies.
How Dividend Per Share is Calculated
There are two primary ways DPS appears in financial reporting:
The share count used is usually the basic weighted average shares (not diluted), as dividends are paid only on actual outstanding shares, not potential dilutive securities.
Key Points in Calculation
- Includes regular quarterly dividends and any special/one-time dividends.
- Based on declared dividends (not necessarily paid in the same period).
- Excludes preferred stock dividends (already deducted from net income).
- May be adjusted for stock splits or dividends in historical comparisons.
Tip: Check the cash flow statement's 'dividends paid' line and footnotes for exact declaration details.
Examples of Dividend Per Share
Example 1: Stable Quarterly Dividend
Example 2: Including Special Dividend
Growing DPS over time (e.g., from $1.80 to $2.00 to $2.20) is a hallmark of 'dividend aristocrats'.
Importance in Financial Analysis
DPS is critical for several reasons:
Key Analytical Uses
- Dividend Yield = DPS ÷ Current Share Price – measures income return.
- Payout Ratio = DPS ÷ EPS – shows sustainability (lower ratio = more sustainable).
- Dividend Growth Rate – tracks management's confidence in future cash flows.
- Total Shareholder Return – combines DPS with capital appreciation.
A rising DPS often signals strong free cash flow and shareholder-friendly management. Conversely, cuts or suspensions can be a red flag for financial distress.
Warning: High DPS driven by special dividends or unsustainable payouts can mislead—always assess alongside payout ratio and cash flow.
Key Takeaways
Dividend Per Share is the actual cash dividend paid per common share outstanding.
Calculated as total common dividends divided by weighted average basic shares.
Core input for dividend yield, payout ratio, and dividend growth analysis.
Rising DPS reflects confidence in sustainable cash generation.
Investors should evaluate DPS sustainability using earnings and free cash flow coverage.
Related Terms
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