The conclusion of the February reporting season saw just under 79% of ASX 200 shares issue a dividend, according to CommSec. This is down from the long-term average of 86% but an improvement from the 69% seen back in August 2020.
Investors who purchase a company's shares before the ex-dividend date are entitled to the next dividend payment. If its shares are purchased on or after that date, the previous owner of those shares will receive the dividend instead. A company's share price typically falls on the ex-dividend date, to account for the dividend paid.
With more ASX 200 shares paying a dividend, here are the ones going ex-dividend this week.
Carsales.com Ltd (ASX: CAR)
Carsales delivered robust 1H21 earnings with an 18% increase in adjusted net profit after tax to $74 million. Its strong cash flow generation and balance sheet supported a 14% increase in interim dividends to 25 cents per share.
The company will be going ex-dividend on Tuesday 23 March. The issued 25 cents per share interim dividend represents a yield of 1.37% based on its closing price on Friday.
The Carsales share price is down 10% year to date. At their current $18.20 level, Carsales shares have slumped to an 8-month low. The recent weakness in the Carsales share price is in-line with the broader weakness and selloff for tech shares.
Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)
Cochlear's earnings recovery journey has been slow, with only Q2 FY21 showing positive prior corresponding growth. In the company's 1H21 results, sales revenue declined 4% to $742.9 million, with the first quarter down 8% and the second quarter up 7%.
The improved tradition conditions and cash flow generation has seen a return of dividends for Cochlear. Its shares will be going ex-dividend on Thursday 25 March for an interim dividend of $1.150. Despite maintaining a dividend payout ratio of 60% of underlying net profit, this interim dividend only represents a yield of 0.50% based on its Friday closing price of $202.94.
Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS)
Healius provides facilities and support services to the healthcare sector with a focus on pathology, imaging and day hospitals. The company has seen a strong improvement in 1H21 earnings with underlying revenues up 16.7% to $953.5 million and net profit after tax up 190% to $75.6 million.
The company announced a fully franked dividend of 6.5 cents per share in line with its 50% to 70% payout ratio. Healius shares will go ex-dividend on Thursday 25 March.
Seven Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SVW)
Seven owns a portfolio of industrial services, property, media and other investors. It delivered a flat 1H21 update with the group's revenue up 4% to $2,357 million while net profit after tax was 3.1% lower to $246.7 million.
The company edged its interim dividend 10% higher to 23 cents per share fully franked. This represents a yield of ~1% based on its Friday close of $22.14. Seven shares also go ex-dividend on Thursday 25 March.
