One way for companies to reward their investors is to pay dividends. Dividends are payments made by a company to its shareholders, with the total amount of the payment to each shareholder determined by the number of shares the investor owns. Dividends can be a regular occurrence or only on a special occasion.
Predictability
When companies pay dividends on a consistent basis, they demonstrate stability to investors who are looking for solid returns over the long term. Investors who select dividend-paying stocks also gain a measure of predictability in their returns. Even if the stock has a rough year, the investor will still be able to receive a return in the form of a dividend.
Benefits Without Selling
When a company pays dividends, investors reap some profits without having to sell their shares. With growth stocks, the only way an investor can realize a gain is to sell her shares. A dividend-paying company lets an investor continue to own part of the company and still benefit financially.
Lower Tax Rates
In 2003, the federal government slashed the tax rates on qualified dividends to 15 percent for investors in tax brackets of 25 percent or higher. Through 2007, lower-income investors paid 5 percent tax on dividends, then that rate fell to zero through 2010. Before 2003, dividends were taxed at an investor's marginal rate, which could be as high as 38.5 percent. The tax cut allowed higher-income investors to keep more of the money paid out to them. However, these tax advantages are scheduled to sunset at the end of 2010.
Disbursing Excess Cash
If a mature company has fewer expenses related to expansion, and research and development, and cannot reinvest enough of its revenue in the company, it may find itself sitting on excess cash. Investors in dividend-paying companies prefer the money be paid out so they can invest the money elsewhere and seek higher returns.
References
- What are Dividend Stocks? - Dividend.com
- Bankrate: Dividends: Naughty or Nice?
- CNN Money: Dividends Rule!
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Ex-Dividend Dates." Accessed July 6, 2020.
- RBC Global Asset Management. "The Power of Dividends – Offering a Winning Strategy," Page 1. Accessed July 6, 2020.
- IRS. "Investment and Income Expenses," Page 19. Accessed July 6, 2020.
- MarketWatch.com. "Starbucks Plans First Ever Cash Dividend." Accessed July 6, 2020.
- S&P Dow Jones Indices. "S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats." Accessed July 6, 2020.
- Benjamin Graham. "The Intelligent Investor," Page 52. Harper Business. 2003. Accessed July 6, 2020.
Writer Bio
Based in the Kansas City area, Mike specializes in personal finance and business topics. He has been writing since 2009 and has been published by "Quicken," "TurboTax," and "The Motley Fool."