Those invested in AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) shares for the dividends have likely been bitterly disappointed over the last few years.
Aside from a special dividend paid in 2020, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) company hasn't handed investors a portion of its profits since 2019.
Previously, the financial services provider said it would reinvestigate potential dividends following its demerger.
But, with its plan to split now scrapped, when might investors hear word of a dividend from AMP? Let's take a look.
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When might AMP shares next pay a dividend?
The last few years have been tough on AMP and its share price. The company's stock has tumbled 77% over the last five years. It's trading at $1.13 today.
For those who missed it, the company's downfall was seemingly spurred by the financial services royal commission. The decision to drop its dividends in financial year 2018 and ditch them entirely in financial year 2019 only exacerbated the pain.
Ultimately, the embattled company came up with a plan to return to growth by splitting in two. AMP noted it would review its capital management strategy and dividends following the demerger.
It was to break into AMP Limited and AMP Capital's private markets business, the latter dubbed Collimate Capital.
If that name sounds familiar, it's likely because the business was recently sold for around $2 billion. Thus, the demerger won't be going ahead.
So, when will the company consider paying dividends now? Well, that's ultimately a mystery.
However, it's expecting to hand most of the proceeds of the Collimate Capital sale to shareholders.
That will likely see AMP undergoing an on-market share buyback or capital return. The latter could take the form of a special dividend, reports The Motley Fool's Brendon Lau.
Additionally, the company's annual general meeting this Friday might provide more answers on future dividends. As might its half-year results, set to drop in August.
It might be worth keeping hopes low for now, though.
Back in January, my Fool colleague James Mickleboro reported broker Citi wasn't expecting AMP shares to pay a dividend until financial year 2024.
