The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors today declared a cash dividend of $0.71 per share for the second half of fiscal 2015, payable January 11, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 14, 2015.
Disney began paying dividends on a semi-annual basis this past July with a dividend of 66 cents a share, and combined with today’s declaration, the total fiscal 2015 dividend payment increased 19% on an annualized basis from fiscal 2014 to $1.37 per share. Going forward, we plan to review the dividend payment annually following the end of the fiscal year, and plan to continue paying dividends on a semi-annual basis.
“Thanks to our unparalleled portfolio of global brands and franchises and our unique ability to leverage creative success to drive value across the entire company, Fiscal 2015 marked Disney’s fifth straight year of record performance, and we are pleased to raise our dividend by 19% on an annualized basis,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.
The Company also announced that it has scheduled its annual shareholders’ meeting for Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Chicago.