Today is ex-dividend date

Our Board has declared an interim dividend for 2018-19 of eight pence per share, payable to shareholders on the register on 7 December 2018.

Today, 6 December 2018, is the ex-dividend date. This is the first day that anyone could purchase a Royal Mail share, and not receive the interim dividend payment for 2018-19.

Why is the ex-dividend date important?

Typically, a company’s share price will start trading at a lower price on its ex-dividend date. All other things being equal, the difference in the share price is normally approximately the value of the dividend payment. This is because anyone buying the shares from that point would not receive that dividend payment.

Many other factors can impact a company’s share price. It is ultimately decided by the stock market. The share price reflects the market’s view of the business, its prospects and general market conditions. The price and value of any shares can go down as well as up, depending on demand for the shares. Demand can be influenced by a number of factors, including market demand, the company’s performance and what is called ‘sentiment’ – what people believe or expect will happen in the future.

Dividend payment date

The Royal Mail interim dividend for 2018-19 will be paid on 16 January 2019. Eligible full-time employees with the maximum allocation of 913 Free Shares will receive around £73, which brings the total dividends since privatisation to £936 (before tax)*.

* Up until 31 August 2018, eligible full-time employees with the maximum allocation of 913 Free Shares have received around £863 in dividends (before tax) since privatisation, and will receive around £73 on 16 January 2019. Click here for details of all dividend payments since privatisation.