Apple Raises Quarterly Dividend to 27 Cents a Share

Apple Inc. (AAPL) increased its quarterly dividend to $0.27 per share from $0.26, a 3.85% rise, with the stock trading ex-dividend on May 11, 2026.

The new quarterly rate implies an annual dividend of $1.08 per share. Based on the locked share price of $290.55, the forward annual yield is 0.37%.

Capital Return Context

The increase extends Apple’s dividend-growth record to 22 consecutive years, keeping the company among the large technology names that pair regular dividends with substantial share repurchases. MarketWatch reported that Apple also authorized another $100 billion of share buybacks as part of its capital-return program.

That mix remains central to Apple’s shareholder-return profile. The company’s dividend is modest relative to its share price, but the steady annual increases have made it a recurring income component for investors who hold the stock primarily for total return. The company’s size, cash generation and dominant position in consumer technology have historically supported both dividends and repurchases, although the dividend yield remains low compared with many traditional income sectors.

Apple is classified in the technology sector. Its market capitalization in the locked data is $4,267,410,980,864, underscoring that even a low-yielding payout represents a meaningful cash commitment at the company level.

What It Means For Income Investors

For income investors, the event is a continuation rather than a major reset. The dividend rose by $0.01 per share on a quarterly basis, and the forward yield remains 0.37%. The main signal is consistency: Apple has now raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years, and the payout carries a dividend safety score of 95 with an A safety grade in the locked data.

The increase may appeal to investors who prioritize dividend reliability and growth history, but the low yield means Apple is still not primarily an income stock. Its dividend role is best understood as a supplemental cash return attached to a large technology company with an ongoing capital-return program.