Research date: September 8, 2026. Selected US common-stock distributions, not an exhaustive dividend calendar or yield ranking.
A September payment date does not mean a new September buyer qualifies for that dividend. The three examples below have record dates already in the past at this article’s cutoff. Use them to reconcile expected payments and research dividend quality, not as a shortcut to capture free income.
Confirmed payment examples
| Company | Cash per share | Record date | Payment date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | $0.91 | August 20, 2026 | September 10, 2026 | Annual filing |
| Home Depot | $2.33 | September 3, 2026 | September 17, 2026 | Declaration |
| PayPal | $0.14 | September 4, 2026 | September 25, 2026 | Quarterly release |
Payment, record and ex-dividend dates differ
The payment date is when the declared cash is distributed. Eligibility depends on the applicable ex-dividend rules, not simply holding shares on payday. Investor.gov explains that buying on or after the ex-date generally does not entitle a buyer to the next ordinary dividend. Special distributions can follow different procedures.
How to assess quality instead of chasing the largest yield
Compare recurring cash generation with dividends, capital expenditure and debt obligations. A high yield can result from a falling share price and rising risk. Check whether the stated annual dividend is actually declared or merely an annualization of one payment. A board can change future distributions.
Total return is the relevant economic result
Cash received does not offset any possible share-price loss automatically. Dealing costs and taxes can also reduce what the investor retains. A dividend-capture idea therefore needs a total-return calculation, not just the cash amount multiplied by the share count.
Research the different businesses
These companies have different cash-flow drivers. Read the Microsoft, Home Depot and PayPal September analyses before drawing a quality comparison from their dividends alone.
FAQ: Are these the three best dividend stocks?
No ranking is claimed. They are verified payment examples selected from our coverage; suitability and sustainability require additional analysis.
Educational information, not personalized investment or tax advice. Future payments are not guaranteed.