Complete Guide to Upcoming Dividends 2023: Everything You Need to Know

Why Are Upcoming Dividends in 2023 Important?

If you are an investor, you are probably looking for ways to maximize your gains. Dividends are one of the most direct mechanisms to obtain steady returns without relying solely on stock appreciation. In 2023, major global corporations maintain payout schedules that can represent significant income for those who know when and how to invest.

During this period, tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms, financial institutions such as JP Morgan and Santander, as well as entertainment companies like Walt Disney and Netflix, have scheduled profit distributions to their shareholders. The information we share is as of July 1, 2023, so new dates are likely to be added as the year progresses.

Major Companies and Their Upcoming Dividends in 2023

Below is a summary of the most relevant companies with scheduled distributions:

Many other stocks are also part of the 2023 calendar, allowing investors to diversify their passive income options.

Fundamental Concepts You Need to Understand

What Is a Dividend Really?

A dividend represents the compensation shareholders receive for investing their capital in a company. When a company generates profits, it decides to distribute a portion among its owners, proportional to the number of shares they hold. This mechanism acts as an incentive to attract investors and maintain confidence in the business project.

There is even a special category of companies known as “Dividend Aristocrats,” which have the honor of paying dividends for more than 25 consecutive years, increasing them year after year.

Payment Modalities

Upcoming dividends in 2023 are mainly distributed in two ways:

In Cash: This is the most common option. Investors receive money directly into their account, avoiding fragmentation of their shareholding.

In Shares: The company grants new shares to shareholders. Before being issued, purchase rights are granted, which also trade on the market for a limited period.

Types of Dividends According to Their Origin

1. Ordinary: Paid according to the normal course of business and established forecasts.
2. Complementary: Paid once forecasts are confirmed, especially when results exceed expectations.
3. Extraordinary: Arises when the company experiences exceptional income, such as the sale of a significant asset.

The Four Critical Dates You Need to Know

To avoid losing your right to receive upcoming dividends, it is essential to master these dates:

1. Declaration Date: When the Shareholders’ Meeting officially approves the dividend distribution, specifying the amount and payment dates.

2. Record Date: Determines who has the right to receive the dividend. You must be the holder of the shares at the close of this day to qualify for payment.

3. Ex-Dividend Date: The crucial cutoff line. Those who hold shares until this date will receive the dividend, even if they sell the next day. Buyers after this date will not have the right.

4. Payment Date: The moment when the money is finally credited to the accounts of eligible shareholders.

Factors That Can Affect Your Upcoming Dividends

Deterioration of Results

When the numbers do not support the company’s performance during the fiscal year, it might reduce or suspend the dividend. Although this decision penalizes the stock severely, some companies choose to maintain payments by drawing from reserves instead of current profits, which is a temporary solution.

Financial Stress Situations

Significant lawsuits, liquidity crises, or other extraordinary events can lead the company to temporarily suspend payments to protect its financial stability.

Regulatory Restrictions

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union implemented bans on dividend payouts for companies that received state rescues. Although not common, it is a factor to consider during crises.

Changes in Ownership

When a company undergoes a takeover (OPA), the acquirer may cancel scheduled dividends for reasons of financial stability.

Taxation: What You Must Pay on Your Gains

Dividends are subject to taxes. In Spain, the tax treatment depends on the type of payment:

Cash Dividends:

• Up to €6,000: 19% tax rate
• Between €6,000 and €50,000: 21%
• Between €50,000 and €200,000: 23%
• Over €200,000: 26%

Share Dividends: Taxation occurs only when you sell those shares, using as the initial reference price the average value of your original shares adjusted for the total (old + new shares from dividends).

How to Calculate Your Upcoming Dividends

The calculation is relatively simple using two key indicators:

Dividend per Share (DPA):