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Dividend Calendar 2026: Ex-Dates & Payment Dates

Track upcoming dividend ex-dates and payment dates in one place. See when your stocks go ex-dividend, when payouts arrive, and build a portfolio that pays you every month of the year.

By MerryDiv Team|Last updated: July 2026

Short answer: A dividend calendar tracks the four key dates for every dividend payment — declaration, ex-dividend, record, and payment date. To receive a dividend, you must own the stock before the ex-dividend date. Payment then arrives about 2–4 weeks later. Most U.S. stocks pay quarterly (four times a year); a smaller set pay monthly. Below: how each date works, typical schedules, and a sample monthly-payer portfolio.

4 Key Dates
Every dividend payment involves four dates you need to know
Quarterly Is Most Common
Most U.S. stocks pay dividends four times per year
Timing Matters
You must own shares before the ex-dividend date to receive the payout

Interactive Dividend Calendar Preview

MerryDiv builds a personalized dividend calendar from your actual holdings, showing received payments, confirmed dates, and estimated future payouts across all your accounts.

Interactive preview. Your actual calendar is built from your real holdings.

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Dividend Calendar
DRIP
12-month: ~$1,802.44
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July 2026~$116.70
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August 2026~$161.28
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September 2026~$172.63
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October 2026~$116.70
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Payment & Ex-Date Views
Toggle between when dividends arrive and when you need to own shares to qualify.
DRIP Simulation
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Status Tracking
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The 4 Dividend Dates Explained

Every dividend payment follows a predictable sequence of four dates. Here's what each one means and why it matters.

1

Declaration Date

The day the company's board of directors announces the dividend. They specify the amount per share, the record date, and the payment date. Think of this as the "announcement day." For example, Coca-Cola might declare a $0.48 per share quarterly dividend.

2

Ex-Dividend Date

The most important date for investors. To receive the dividend, you must buy the stock before this date. If you buy on or after the ex-dividend date, the seller — not you — gets the dividend. The stock price typically drops by roughly the dividend amount on this date.

3

Record Date

Usually one business day after the ex-dividend date. This is the date the company checks its records to see who officially owns shares. If you bought before the ex-dividend date, you'll be on the record by this date due to the standard T+1 settlement cycle.

4

Payment Date

The day the dividend is deposited into your brokerage account. This is typically 2–4 weeks after the record date. The cash shows up automatically — no action needed on your part.

How a Dividend Calendar Works: A Real Example

Here's how the four dates work in practice, using a realistic example.

Example: Coca-Cola (KO) declares a $0.48 quarterly dividend per share.
Declaration Date
Feb 13
Board announces $0.48/share dividend
Ex-Dividend Date
Feb 28
Must own shares before this date to qualify
Record Date
Mar 1
Company checks its shareholder records
Payment Date
Apr 1
$0.48 per share deposited to your account

Dividend Payment Schedules by Frequency

Not all stocks pay dividends on the same schedule. Here are the most common payment frequencies and what to expect from each.

Common dividend payment frequencies and typical examples
FrequencyHow OftenCommon WithExamples
QuarterlyEvery 3 monthsMost U.S. stocksKO, JNJ, PG, AAPL
MonthlyEvery monthREITs, bond funds, CEFsO, STAG, MAIN
Semi-AnnualTwice per yearInternational stocks, some ETFsMany European stocks
AnnualOnce per yearSome European stocksSpecial dividends (e.g. COST)

Use our dividend calculator to project income at different payment frequencies.

How to Build Monthly Dividend Income

Most U.S. stocks pay quarterly, but they don't all pay in the same months. By combining stocks with different payment schedules, you can create a portfolio that generates dividend income every single month.

Monthly dividend payment schedule for sample quarterly and monthly payers
StockJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
JNJ
KO
PG
O
Result: At least one dividend payment every month of the year

This is a simplified example using four well-known stocks. Companies like these are often found on the Dividend Aristocrats list — stocks with 25+ years of consecutive dividend increases. Use our growth calculator to see how reinvesting these dividends accelerates your income over time.

Your Personal Dividend Calendar — Automatically

Connect your brokerage accounts and MerryDiv builds your 12-month dividend calendar automatically — with projected dates, amounts, and DRIP compounding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A dividend calendar is a schedule showing key dates for dividend payments — including declaration dates, ex-dividend dates, record dates, and payment dates. Investors use dividend calendars to track when they need to own a stock to qualify for a payout and when to expect the cash in their account.
The ex-dividend date is the cutoff for qualifying for a dividend payment. You must purchase the stock before the ex-dividend date to receive the dividend. If you buy on or after this date, you will not receive the upcoming payment. The stock price typically drops by approximately the dividend amount on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends are paid on the payment date, which is typically 2–4 weeks after the record date. The exact timing depends on the company. Most U.S. stocks pay quarterly, so you can expect four payments per year. The cash is deposited directly into your brokerage account automatically.
The ex-dividend date is set by the stock exchange and is typically one business day before the record date. You must buy shares before the ex-dividend date to be on the company's records by the record date. With T+1 settlement, buying before the ex-date ensures settlement by the record date.
This strategy is called "dividend capture." While technically possible, the stock price typically drops by roughly the dividend amount on the ex-dividend date, which often offsets the dividend income. After factoring in taxes and trading costs, this strategy rarely produces meaningful gains for most investors.
You can receive monthly dividends by investing in monthly-paying stocks (like REITs such as Realty Income), or by combining quarterly-paying stocks that pay in different months. For example, pairing stocks that pay in Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct with ones paying Feb/May/Aug/Nov and Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec covers all twelve months.
MerryDiv connects to your brokerage accounts and automatically tracks every dividend payment you receive. You can see your complete payment history, income trends, and projected annual income — all without manual entry. It works with 12,000+ brokerages across the US, Canada, UK, and Europe through Plaid, plus manual entry for any stock worldwide.
Yes. MerryDiv's dividend calendar projects your upcoming payments up to 12 months ahead based on your actual holdings and historical dividend patterns. You can toggle between payment dates and ex-dividend dates, see which payments are confirmed vs. estimated, and simulate DRIP reinvestment to see how compounding affects your future income.
No. Many companies — especially high-growth tech stocks — reinvest profits into the business instead of paying dividends. Dividends are most common among mature, profitable companies in sectors like consumer staples, utilities, healthcare, and financials. ETFs and REITs also commonly pay dividends.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational and educational purposes only. The dividend dates, payment schedules, and stock examples shown are based on publicly available information and historical patterns. Actual dividend amounts, dates, and frequencies can change at any time and are determined by each company's board of directors. Past dividend payments do not guarantee future payments. This is not financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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