Dividend Shares 2026

When and how often are dividends paid?

Dividends are paid when the general meeting of the company decides to distribute a proportion of the profit to shareholders. Dividend payments normally occur annually (Annual), semi-annually (Semi-annual) or quarterly (Quarter), but can also be paid on an extraordinary (irregular) basis.

More frequent dividends becoming increasingly common

In recent years, we have seen more and more companies moving to dividends several times a year, either twice per year, once per quarter or even monthly. Particularly within shipping and energy, we see that several companies are choosing this approach.

In our dividend overview, you can see when various Norwegian companies have decided to pay dividends.

What does ex-dividend mean?

When a dividend has been finally decided and paid out, it is too late to buy the share to receive the announced dividend. After that, the share can only be traded ex-dividend. In cases where companies have not yet publicly announced a final date for when the share will trade ex-dividend, you can assume that this will occur the day after the general meeting.

Do I have to pay tax on the dividend?

Yes, a dividend is considered share income and must be taxed.Read more about it here.

Why do not all companies pay out dividends?

There can be various reasons why companies do not pay dividends. Dividends are primarily distributed when companies are performing well and have surplus profits.

Some companies may nevertheless prioritise using their surplus to finance further growth. Companies with poor earnings cannot afford to prioritise dividends.

What happens to the share price when the company pays a dividend?

When a listed company pays a dividend, the share price falls (all else being equal) by an amount corresponding to the size of the dividend.

The day this occurs is set by the company paying the dividend and is referred to as the "ex-dividend" date or "Ex. date".

What does "dividend yield" mean?

Dividend yield is a measure of dividend relative to the share price and is calculated by dividing the dividend per share by the price per share.

Dividend yield is the English term for the same concept. In financial markets, English terms are often used. Some Norwegians, for example, say "dividende" for dividend.

What does Ex. date stand for?

Ex. date is an abbreviation for "ex-dividend date", from which date the share is traded without the right to dividend. Some also say ex-day.

In cases where companies have not announced an ex. date for when the share is traded ex-dividend, we have assumed that this will occur the day after the general meeting. However, this may change.