dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)

dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)

A plan that allows stockholders to automatically reinvest dividend payments in additional shares of the company's stock. Instead of receiving the usual dividend checks, participating stockholders will receive quarterly notification of shares purchased and shares held in their accounts. Dividend reinvestment is usually an inexpensive way of purchasing additional shares of stock because the fees are low or are completely absorbed by the company. In addition, some companies offer stock at a discount from the existing market price. Usually these dividends are fully taxable even though no cash is received by the stockholder. Also called automatic dividend reinvestment, reinvestment plan. See also super DRIP.