Skip to content

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Dividend definition

Dividend has a particular significance in relation to IG's platform. Here, we define dividend in general investing and explain what it means to you when trading with IG.

A dividend is the portion of profit that a company chooses to return to its shareholders, usually expressed as a percentage.

When a company makes profit, it can choose to either reinvest all of its profit back into the business or pay some portion (or all) of it back to shareholders in the form of a dividend. It is one of the ways in which shareholders can hope to earn money from their investment; if a business does not offer a dividend then investors will hope to be compensated in the form of high share growth.

Dividends usually come in the form of either a one-off or regular cash payments, but can also be paid in property or further shares of stock.

Video poster image

With IG

If you buy a stock with our share dealing service, then you will receive dividends if the company pays them.

With CFDs and spread bets, we make an adjustment on equity and stock index positions if a dividend is paid.

Visit our shares trading pages

Find out more about shares trading with IG.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - Y

See all glossary trading terms

Help and support

Get answers about your account or our services.

Get answers

Call 010 500 8626

Or ask about opening an account on 010 500 8624 or newaccounts.za@ig.com.

We're here 24hrs a day from 9am Saturday to 11pm Friday.