Apple's current dividend is $0.25 per share, paid quarterly

Apple distributes $0.25 per share four times a year, which means a shareholder who owns 100 shares receives $25 each quarter, or $100 annually. The company raised this amount in May 2024 from the previous $0.24 per share. The exact payment date shifts each quarter, but Apple announces the schedule in advance on its investor relations website.

The dollar amount you receive depends entirely on how many shares you own. If you own one share, you get $0.25 per quarter. If you own 1,000 shares, you get $250 per quarter. This is different from a percentage return — the per-share amount stays the same regardless of the stock price, though the percentage yield changes as the stock price moves.

Apple has paid dividends continuously since 2012, and the company has increased the per-share amount most years. However, the dividend is not may provide to grow, and Apple can reduce or suspend it if business conditions change.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple pays $0.25 per share quarterly, totaling $1.00 per share annually if the rate holds.
  • Your total dividend income equals the per-share amount multiplied by the number of shares you own.
  • The dividend yield (the percentage return on your investment) changes as Apple's stock price rises or falls, even though the per-share payment stays the same.
  • Apple typically raises its dividend once per year, usually in the spring, though increases are not may provide.

How to calculate your annual dividend income

Multiply the quarterly payment by four, then multiply by the number of shares you own. At $0.25 per share per quarter, the annual rate is $1.00 per share. If you own 50 shares, your annual dividend is $50. If you own 500 shares, it is $500.

Your brokerage account shows this calculation automatically — you can see the dividend history and projected annual income in your holdings view. If you reinvest dividends (a setting you control), the payment buys additional fractional shares, which then earn their own dividends.

What dividend yield means and why it matters

Dividend yield is the annual dividend per share divided by the stock price, expressed as a percentage. If Apple stock trades at $200 per share and the annual dividend is $1.00, the yield is 0.5 percent. If the stock price falls to $100, the same $1.00 dividend now represents a 1 percent yield — the per-share payment did not change, but the yield rose because the stock became cheaper.

Yield matters because it shows how much income you earn relative to what you paid for the stock. A higher yield can mean the stock is undervalued, or it can mean the company is in trouble and investors are selling. Yield alone does not tell you whether a stock is a good purchase; you also need to look at whether the company can sustain the dividend and whether the stock price is likely to grow.

When Apple pays dividends and how to receive them

Apple pays dividends on a quarterly schedule. The company announces the ex-dividend date (the date by which you must own the stock to receive the payment), the record date, and the payment date several weeks in advance. You must own at least one share on the ex-dividend date to receive that quarter's payment.

The payment arrives in your brokerage account automatically — you do not need to do anything. If you hold Apple stock in a taxable account, the dividend is taxable income in the year you receive it. If you hold it in a retirement account like an IRA or 401(k), the dividend is not taxed until you withdraw money from the account (or never, in the case of a Roth IRA).

How Apple's dividend compares to other large companies

Apple's 0.5 percent yield is lower than many other large companies. Microsoft pays roughly 0.7 percent, while utility companies and real estate investment trusts often pay 3 to 5 percent or higher. The difference reflects what kind of company it is: Apple prioritizes reinvesting profits into research and product development rather than returning cash to shareholders through dividends.

A lower dividend does not mean Apple is a worse investment. Some investors prefer companies that grow the stock price over time rather than pay dividends. Others seek dividend income and choose stocks with higher yields. Your choice depends on whether you want current income or long-term growth, and on your tax situation.

Why Apple increased its dividend in 2024

Apple raised the per-share dividend from $0.24 to $0.25 in May 2024, a modest increase of about 4 percent. The company typically raises dividends when earnings grow and cash flow remains strong. The increase signals confidence that Apple can sustain higher payments without cutting into investment in new products or acquisitions.

Apple also announced a new $110 billion stock buyback program at the same time. Buybacks reduce the number of shares outstanding, which can increase earnings per share even if total earnings stay flat. Both dividends and buybacks are ways Apple returns cash to shareholders, but they work differently: dividends pay you directly, while buybacks increase the value of the shares you already own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to reinvest my Apple dividends?

No. Your brokerage lets you choose whether to reinvest dividends automatically or receive them as cash. Reinvestment buys fractional shares, which compounds your returns over time. Taking cash lets you use the money for other purposes. You can change this setting anytime.

Is Apple's dividend taxed differently than other income?

Apple dividends are taxed as may have access to dividends if you have held the stock for at least 60 days around the ex-dividend date. may have access to dividends are taxed at lower rates than ordinary income — 0, 15, or 20 percent depending on your tax bracket. Dividends in retirement accounts are not taxed until withdrawal.

Will Apple keep raising its dividend every year?

Apple has raised its dividend most years since 2012, but there is no may provide. The company raises dividends when it has strong cash flow and confidence in future earnings. If business slows or Apple needs cash for major acquisitions, it could hold the dividend flat or reduce it.

How does a stock split affect the dividend?

When Apple splits its stock, the per-share dividend is adjusted proportionally. If the stock splits 2-for-1 and the dividend was $0.25, it becomes $0.125 per share. Your total dividend income stays the same because you now own twice as many shares at half the per-share rate.