Stock Dividend

Stock dividend

Payment of a corporate dividend in the form of stock rather than cash. The stock dividend may be additional shares in the company, or it may be shares in a subsidiary being spun off to shareholders. Stock dividends are often used to conserve cash needed to operate the business. Unlike a cash dividend, stock dividends are not taxed until sold.

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stock dividend

A dividend made up of shares of the paying firm's stock. A stock dividend is often used in place of or in addition to a cash dividend if the firm wishes to conserve cash. Unlike a cash dividend, a stock dividend is usually not taxable to the shareholder when it is received, but rather when it is sold. Stockholders who are supposed to receive a fractional share will often receive a check for the amount equal to the market value of the fractional share. Payment of a stock dividend is indicated in stock transaction tables in newspapers by the symbols b and t. See also scrip dividend.

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Stock Dividend

Additional shares of stock distributed to shareholders at no cost. The number of shares received are a percentage of the shares owned. The basis of the original shares is generally apportioned equally to the total shares owned after the distribution.