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Add stocks or ETFs above to start tracking your dividend income

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Dividend amounts are based on the most recent annual dividend and may change at any time. Past dividends do not guarantee future payments. DRIP projections use current prices and yields. This tool is for educational purposes and is not financial advice.

What Are Dividends and Why Do They Matter?

A dividend is a cash payment that a company makes to its shareholders, usually every quarter. When you own shares of a dividend-paying stock or ETF, you get paid just for holding it — no need to sell anything. Over time, dividends can become a powerful source of passive income that grows alongside your portfolio. In fact, dividends have accounted for roughly 40% of the S&P 500's total return since 1930, making them one of the most underappreciated drivers of long-term wealth.

Tracking your dividends matters because it helps you understand exactly how much income your investments are generating, when you'll receive it, and how fast it's growing. Our dividend tracker lets you build a portfolio, see your projected annual income, monitor upcoming ex-dividend dates, and even project how reinvesting dividends (DRIP) accelerates your growth over time.

How to Use This Dividend Tracker

Add any dividend-paying stocks or ETFs to the tracker above by entering their ticker symbols and the number of shares you own. The tool automatically fetches current dividend data and shows you each holding's annual dividend per share, dividend yield, your projected annual income from that holding, the next ex-dividend date, and the 5-year dividend growth rate. You'll also see your total portfolio dividend income and a DRIP projection showing how reinvesting dividends compounds your returns.

Worked Example

Say you own 50 shares of SCHD (a popular dividend ETF) and 30 shares of Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). SCHD currently pays about $2.80/share annually with a yield around 3.5%, giving you $140/year. JNJ pays about $4.96/share with a yield near 3.2%, adding $148.80/year. Together, that's roughly $289 per year in passive income — and if both companies keep raising their dividends at historical rates, that number grows every year without you buying a single extra share. Learn more about picking dividend investments in our best dividend ETFs guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dividend yield and what's a good yield?

Dividend yield is the annual dividend per share divided by the stock price, expressed as a percentage. A stock trading at $100 that pays $3/year in dividends has a 3% yield. Generally, yields between 2–5% are considered solid for blue-chip stocks and ETFs. Be cautious of extremely high yields (above 7–8%) — they can signal that the stock price has dropped sharply or that the dividend may not be sustainable. Quality and consistency matter more than chasing the highest number. For a deep dive, read our what is a dividend explainer.

What is an ex-dividend date?

The ex-dividend date is the cutoff date for receiving the next dividend payment. You must own the stock before the ex-dividend date to receive the upcoming payout. If you buy on or after the ex-date, you won't get that quarter's dividend (the previous owner does). This is why tracking ex-dates matters — it helps you plan purchases and understand when income will hit your account.

Should I reinvest dividends (DRIP) or take the cash?

If you're still in the wealth-building phase, reinvesting dividends is almost always the better move. DRIP uses your dividend payments to automatically buy more shares, which then generate their own dividends, creating a compounding snowball effect. Over 20–30 years, the difference between reinvesting and taking cash can be enormous. However, if you're in or near retirement and need the income, taking cash makes sense. Our DRIP projection in the tracker above shows you exactly how reinvesting impacts your portfolio growth.

How are dividends taxed?

In the US, qualified dividends (from stocks you've held for at least 60 days) are taxed at the lower capital gains rate — 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income. Non-qualified dividends are taxed as ordinary income. In tax-advantaged accounts like a Roth IRA or 401(k), dividends grow tax-free or tax-deferred, which makes them ideal for dividend-heavy portfolios. In Canada, dividends from Canadian companies receive a tax credit that reduces the effective rate. Check our TFSA vs. RRSP guide for Canadian investors.

What's the difference between dividend growth and high yield?

High-yield stocks pay a large dividend right now but may not grow it much. Dividend growth stocks pay a smaller yield today but increase their payout every year — often by 5–10% annually. Over time, dividend growth stocks usually generate more total income because the payout compounds. For example, a stock yielding 2% today that grows its dividend 8% per year will yield 4.3% on your original cost after 10 years. That's why many long-term investors prefer dividend growth over high current yield.

Want to see how dividend stocks stack up against growth picks? Use our stock comparison tool to compare any two investments, or explore ETF expense ratios to make sure fees aren't eating into your dividend income.

RiskStock.com is an educational and informational website. All content published on this site — including articles, opinions, market data, and commentary — is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.