Apple Stock Dividend Analysis

The chart below outlines the key dates and metrics of Apple's stock dividend for the last five years.

Note that the dividend amounts shown are not adjusted for Apple’s 4-for-1 stock split that was implemented on August 31, 2020. You can see that after the split, the cash dividend dipped from $0.82 per share to $0.205 per share. The split awarded shareholders four times as many shares but reduced the dividend by 75%. The net effect was no change for shareholders.

Apple has a low dividend yield of 0.55%. For context, the dividend yield of the S&P 500 is currently about 1.63%. That's nearly three times higher than Apple's yield.

It can be a mistake to evaluate dividend yield on its own, however—especially with a stock like AAPL that has a demonstrated record of appreciation. Total return, which includes dividends and capital gains, paints a broader picture. Apple's total return averages an impressive 25.1% over the last 15 years.

How often does Apple pay a dividend?
Apple pays a quarterly dividend. The payment dates fall in February, May, August and November.
How many years has Apple's dividend grown?
Apple has increased its dividend annually for 12 years. The first year was in 2012, when Apple initiated a dividend after having not paid one since 1995.