Dividend Analysis
How to analyze dividend stocks, evaluate safety, and identify the best opportunities.
How to Analyze Dividend Stocks: 10 Key Metrics
The essential metrics every dividend investor should evaluate before buying.
Dividend Safety: How to Evaluate Cut Risk
A framework for assessing whether a company's dividend is at risk of being cut.
FCF Payout Ratio: Better Than Earnings Payout?
Why the free cash flow payout ratio may be a better indicator of dividend safety.
Analyzing Dividend Growth Rates: 1, 3, 5, 10 Year
How to interpret dividend growth rates across different time periods.
Dividend Coverage Ratio Explained
Using the coverage ratio to assess how well earnings support the dividend.
10 Red Flags in Dividend Stocks to Avoid
Warning signs that a high-yield dividend stock may be a trap.
Sector-by-Sector Dividend Analysis
Typical yields, payout ratios, and growth rates across market sectors.
How to Read Dividend Announcements
Understanding dividend declarations, special dividends, and what they signal.
How Debt-to-Equity Ratio Affects Dividend Safety
Why leverage matters for dividend sustainability and what thresholds to watch.
Why Earnings Growth Drives Dividend Growth
The relationship between EPS growth and future dividend increases.
Dividend Cuts: Why They Happen and How to Avoid Them
Major historical dividend cuts, common causes, and early warning signs.
Special Dividends: What They Are and What They Signal
One-time dividend payments — why companies issue them and what they mean.
Average Dividend Yield by Sector: Complete Comparison
Average yield, payout ratio, and growth rate for each of the 11 GICS sectors.
How DividendRanks Grades Work: Methodology
How our A+ to F grading system scores dividend stocks across yield, growth, safety, consistency, and performance.
How to Calculate Dividend Growth Rate
Calculate CAGR from historical dividends using a simple formula. Step-by-step with examples from real stocks.
How to Calculate Preferred Dividends: Formula & Examples
Preferred dividends equal par value times the stated rate. Learn the formula for cumulative and non-cumulative shares.
Where Do Dividends Go on the Balance Sheet?
Declared but unpaid dividends appear as a current liability. Paid dividends reduce retained earnings and cash.
Do Dividends Go on the Income Statement?
No — dividends are not an expense and do not appear on the income statement. They reduce retained earnings directly.
Is Paying Dividends a Financing Activity? Cash Flow Guide
Yes, dividend payments are a financing activity on the cash flow statement — not operating or investing.
Do Dividends Affect Net Income?
No — dividends do not reduce net income because they are not an expense. They are a distribution of profits.
How Do Dividends Affect Retained Earnings?
Dividends reduce retained earnings when declared. See the journal entries and impact on the balance sheet.
How to Calculate Dividends Per Share (DPS)
Divide total dividends paid by shares outstanding. Learn the formula, where to find the data, and examples.
How to Calculate Cost Basis for Reinvested Dividends
Add each reinvested dividend to your cost basis. Track every purchase lot to calculate gains accurately at sale.
Are Dividends a Debit or Credit? Accounting Basics
Declaring dividends debits retained earnings and credits dividends payable. See the full journal entries.
How to Find Dividends From Financial Statements
Find dividend data on the cash flow statement, retained earnings, or notes to financial statements. Step-by-step guide.
Dividend Coverage Ratio: How to Calculate & Interpret
The dividend coverage ratio shows how many times earnings cover the dividend. Above 2x is generally safe.