Your Dividends

Dividends are the regular financial returns to shareholders who invest in the company. When a company earns a profit, it can be put to two uses: either re-invested in the business (called retained earnings) or paid to the shareholders of the company as a dividend. Companies generally retain a portion of their profits and pay the remainder as a dividend. Companies listed on the stock exchange usually pay dividends in line with a fixed schedule, however, the directors may declare a dividend at any time, sometimes called a special dividend, to distinguish it from a regular one.

Dividends are paid in cash, directly into a nominated bank account. Please note M&S no longer pays dividends by cheque and moved to direct credit payments in July 2018.

Dividends can also be paid in shares in the company; either newly-created shares or existing shares bought in the market. M&S offers a Dividend Re-investment Plan, which automatically uses the cash dividend to purchase additional shares for the shareholder. Further information regarding payment methods can be found in the drop downs below.

The quickest, most efficient and secure way to receive your dividends is to elect for them to be paid directly into your bank account. This is the only payment method for cash dividends offered by M&S.

It saves waiting for the funds to clear and reduces the paper and postage we use. Using BACS (Bank Automated Clearing System) we can pay your dividend straight to your account on the payment date.

The account information you provide will not be shared with third parties. It will be held by Equiniti as part of your shareholder account details.

Those selecting this method will receive a consolidated tax voucher at their registered address each January. However, if you require a separate tax voucher please contact Equiniti.

You can choose to join our Dividend Re-investment Plan (DRIP) provided by Equiniti Financial Services Limited, which is a simple way to use your cash dividend payments to purchase additional M&S shares and increase your shareholding. For more information on the DRIP, please click here.

You can choose to use your dividends to buy eVouchers for M&S and other retailers, with an uplift through EQ Boost. All you need to do is register for an account using the link below and your dividends will be paid straight into that account, you can then boost those dividends into eVouchers.

For more information please click here.

Our registrar provides an Overseas Payment Service in conjunction with Citibank Europe which automatically converts and pays your dividend to you in your local currency. For more information on the associated fees and how to apply, click here.

*Provisional dates