The Australian Foundation Investment Company (ASX: AFI) share price may interest income-focussed investors, with the Board announcing a fully franked FY27 dividend of 37 cents per share and a move to more frequent, quarterly payments.
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What did Australian Foundation Investment Company report?
- FY27 total dividend guidance of 37 cents per share, fully franked
- Ordinary dividend of 27 cents per share, up 1.9% on FY26
- Special dividend of 10 cents per share for FY27
- Transition to quarterly dividend payments, starting November 2026
- First quarterly dividend of 9.25 cents per share declared, payable 12 November 2026
- Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) and Dividend Substitution Share Plan (DSSP) remain available
What else do investors need to know?
The shift from semi-annual to quarterly dividends follows feedback from shareholders who want more regular income. This change aims to make AFIC's payments more in line with other income-focused investment choices on the market.
The Board will spread the FY27 dividend equally across four quarters, maintaining a stable and predictable payment schedule. While the ordinary dividend is primarily funded by earnings, some realised capital gains will supplement payments, subject to profit outlook and available franking credits.
Existing DRP and DSSP options mean shareholders can continue to reinvest dividends or substitute them for additional shares, adding flexibility for those building their investment.
What's next for Australian Foundation Investment Company?
Looking ahead, the Board says further special dividends beyond FY27 will depend on future earnings, franking credits, and realised capital gains. The company remains committed to a stable or growing dividend over time, while returning surplus franking credits where possible.
AFIC plans to review the dividend approach each year to ensure it remains aligned with both company performance and shareholder needs, particularly around providing reliable income.
Australian Foundation Investment Company share price snapshot
Over the past 12 months, AFIC shares have declined 7%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has declined 1% over the same period.
