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How Often Are Dividends Paid on Stocks?

Knowing when, and how, you'll get paid is important.

By Jason Hall – Updated Nov 5, 2024 at 10:33AM

Key Points

  • Most U.S. companies pay dividends quarterly; some REITs pay monthly.
  • To receive a dividend, own the stock before the ex-dividend date.
  • Dividends are mostly paid in cash directly to your brokerage account, but some companies pay in stock. This is not the same thing as a dividend reinvestment plan, or DRIP, where your cash dividend is used to buy more shares.
Key findings are powered by ChatGPT and based solely off the content from this article. Findings are reviewed by our editorial team. The author and editors take ultimate responsibility for the content.

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