Dividend Per Share (DPS) (2024)

  • Accounting

Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding Dividend Per Share (DPS)

Last Updated December 6, 2023

Learn Online Now

The Dividend Per Share (DPS) is a financial ratio that represents the annualized dividend issued by a company, expressed on a per-share basis.

Dividend Per Share (DPS) (1)

Table of Contents

  • How to Calculate Dividend Per Share (DPS)?
  • Dividend Per Share Formula (DPS)
  • What is a Good DPS Ratio?
  • Dividend Per Share Calculator (DPS)
  • Dividend Per Share Calculation Example (DPS)

The dividend per share (DPS) is a financial metric that measures the annual dividend issuance of a company on a per-share basis.

In corporate finance, dividends are defined as the distribution of a company’s after-tax earnings (i.e. net income) to common and preferred shareholders as a form of shareholder compensation.

With that said, a common metric used to assess the dividend policy of a company on a per-share basis is the dividend per share (DPS) ratio, which is a standardized metric that facilitates comparisons in dividend policies among different companies.

Unlike the gross dividend amount figure, the dividend per share (DPS) of a company can also be compared to that of historical periods to observe year-over-year (YoY) trends.

The dividend per share (DPS) formula divides the dividend issuance amount by the total number of shares outstanding.

Dividend Per Share (DPS) = Annualized Dividend ÷ Number of Shares Outstanding

The dividend issuance amount is typically expressed on an annual basis, meaning that a quarterly dividend amount is multiplied by four (i.e. four quarters in one fiscal year) – assuming that the quarterly dividend amount is to remain unchanged.

Annualized Dividend = Quarterly Dividend Amount × 4

The total number of shares outstanding should include the impact of dilutive securities, as well as be calculated based on the annual weighted average share count between the beginning and end of period shares outstanding.

Weighted Average of Shares Outstanding = (Beginning Shares Outstanding + Ending Shares Outstanding) ÷ 2

If the dividend per share (DPS) of a company increases, the reaction of the market tends to be positive, especially if a long-term dividend program rather than a one-time issuance.

The share price of the underlying issuer often rises post-announcement, albeit certain investor groups will sell their stake in the company because of a misalignment in interests.

Why? The decision to issue dividends stems from management’s confidence in the company’s future profitability and maintenance of its current market positioning.

But at the same time, the decision to distribute shareholder dividends can also be interpreted as meaning that the company’s opportunities to reinvest in itself and drive growth are limited.

On the other hand, the decision to reduce the dividend per share (DPS) is a negative market signal, indicative of uncertainty around the future stability of the company’s future profitability.

However, the context surrounding the issuance of a high dividend per share (DPS) must be considered.

For instance, the management team might have mistakenly announced an unsustainable dividend program prematurely, which it refuses to reduce (or end) to avoid sending a negative signal to the market. In fact, the decision by a corporation to issue dividends could cause the share price to decline in certain instances.

For example, if a company with an inflated share price from its positive growth prospects were to suddenly issue dividends rather than reinvest capital (or participate in a stock buyback), the existing investor base could start to sell off their positions.

Conversely, a company could perhaps engage in dividend issuances and stock buybacks while growing at a stable rate, as in the case of Apple (AAPL).

Apple Dividend Per Share (DPS) Example (Source: Barrons)

We’ll now move to a modeling exercise, which you can access by filling out the form below.

Suppose a company issued a quarterly dividend of $50 million, with no announcements regarding cutting the dividend in the near term.

The annualized dividend amount is calculated to be $200 million.

  • Annual Dividend Amount = $50 million x 4 = $200 million

Next, if the company is projected to have 90 million shares at the beginning of the period and 110 million shares outstanding at the end of the period, the weighted average share count is 100 million.

  • Weighted Average Shares Outstanding = (90 million + 110 million) ÷ 2 = 100 million

Given those two inputs, if we divide the annualized dividend by the weighted average share count, we calculate $2.00 as the DPS.

  • Dividend Per Share (DPS) = $200 million ÷ 100 million = $2.00

Dividend Per Share (DPS) (7)

Step-by-Step Online Course

Everything You Need To Master Financial Modeling

Enroll in The Premium Package: Learn Financial Statement Modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO and Comps. The same training program used at top investment banks.

Enroll Today

Most Popular

  • 100+ Excel Financial Modeling Shortcuts You Need to Know
  • The Ultimate Guide to Financial Modeling Best Practices and Conventions
  • What is Investment Banking?
  • Essential Reading for your Investment Banking Interview

Comments

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Dividend Per Share (DPS) (2024)

FAQs

What is the dividend per share of DPS? ›

The dividend per share (DPS) is a financial metric that measures the annual dividend issuance of a company on a per-share basis. In corporate finance, dividends are defined as the distribution of a company's after-tax earnings (i.e. net income) to common and preferred shareholders as a form of shareholder compensation.

What does DPS mean dividends? ›

The term dividends per share (DPS) refers to the total dividend a company pays out over a 12-month period, divided by the total number of outstanding shares. A company uses this calculation to share profits with its shareholders.

What is per share dividend amount? ›

Dividend per share (DPS) is the sum of declared dividends issued by a company for every ordinary share outstanding. The figure is calculated by dividing the total dividends paid out by a business, including interim dividends, over a period of time, usually a year, by the number of outstanding ordinary shares issued.

What is the difference between DPS and dividend yield? ›

DPS is useful for estimating how much money each individual shareholder will receive in dividends over a given period, while dividend yield helps compare different securities as it tells you how much of a return you can expect from each dollar invested.

How much dividend do I get per share? ›

Dividend Per Share Example

Currently, there are 1 million shares outstanding. The dividend per share would simply be the total dividend divided by the shares outstanding. In this case, it is $500,000 / 1,000,000 = $0.50 dividend per share.

What is a good dividend per share? ›

What Is a Good Dividend Yield? Yields from 2% to 6% are generally considered to be a good dividend yield, but there are plenty of factors to consider when deciding if a stock's yield makes it a good investment. Your own investment goals should also play a big role in deciding what a good dividend yield is for you.

Is DPS same as dividend yield? ›

The formula for calculating the dividend yield is equal to the dividend per share (DPS) divided by the current share price. For example, if a company is trading at $10.00 in the market and issues annual dividend per share (DPS) of $1.00, the company's dividend yield is equal to 10%.

How do you calculate DPS from dividend yield? ›

The formula for calculating DPS is dividing the total amount of dividends paid by the company to its shareholders by the total number of outstanding shares. Share repurchases result in fewer shares in circulation, which can increase the dividend amount per remaining share.

How much dividend will I get for one share? ›

In short, dividend yield calculates the rupee amount of a company's current annual dividend per share divided by its current stock price. For example, a company with a stock price of Rs. 100 and paying dividend of Rs. 4 per share, has a dividend yield of 4%.

How to count dividends per share? ›

The dividend per share is calculated using a simple method. To calculate DPS, divide the entire number of dividends paid by the company by the total number of shares held. The annualised dividend is the total amount of dividends given out during the year.

Do you get one dividend per share? ›

Dividends are typically paid according to how many shares you have. If you own 100 shares of a company that is trading at $1 a share and paying a dividend of 25%, you would be paid $25.

How do I calculate my dividend payout? ›

To calculate the dividend payout ratio, the formula divides the dividend amount distributed in the period by the net income in the same period. For example, if a company issued $20 million in dividends in the current period with $100 million in net income, the payout ratio would be 20%.

Which is better dividend or yield? ›

Investors often face a choice between Dividend Growth stocks and High Yield stocks when seeking income-generating investments. While High Yield stocks offer attractive immediate returns, Dividend Growth stocks provide superior long-term benefits, including income growth, capital appreciation, and lower volatility.

What are the cons of dividend yield? ›

The following are the disadvantages: In case the dividend data is old or is based on erroneous information, the evaluation of a stock based on this information is incorrect. Sometimes high yield can be misleading since it may indicate a falling stock price instead of an increase in dividend payment.

How often are dividends paid? ›

A dividend is paid per share of stock. U.S. companies usually pay dividends quarterly, monthly or semiannually. The company announces when the dividend will be paid, the amount and the ex-dividend date.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5737

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.