How Do UK Dividends Work? Fundamentals
A Brief Explanation of Dividends Companies may often make payments to their shareholders in the form of dividends on a periodic basis (typically quarterly or annually). The payment of dividends often takes the form of cash, but they may also be distributed in the form of new shares of stock or other assets. Dividends are subject to a variety of taxes as well as restrictions in the United Kingdom. When a business realises a profit, it has the option of either reinvesting that profit to fuel more expansion or distributing that profit to shareholders in the form of dividends. The board of directors of the firm will make the decision on the amount of dividends to be paid out as well as the date on which the dividends will be paid. In most cases, this choice is determined by the financial success of the firm as well as its potential for future expansion. Having an Understanding of How Dividends Are Paid After the dividends have been approved by the board of directors, they will be dis...