Invest in Apple online

Apple dividend growth has been attractive in recent years.  And Apple stock has retreated from all-time highs. So let’s check out the Apple dividend from a dividend growth stock investors perspective.

In a Dividends Diversify review of companies in the technology sector,  I noted the gigantic cash holdings these companies carry.  In addition, I questioned if the 2017 tax act might result in larger dividend increases and faster dividend growth from companies in the sector.

And Apple was one of 5 cash-rich, blue-chip technology companies highlighted in the article.  So let’s take a closer look at this well-known tech company.

Please join me for an Apple dividend stock analysis right now. And note that the company’s stock trades on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol, AAPL.

COMPANY BACKGROUND

Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple designs manufactures and markets mobile communication devices, media devices, and personal computers.

In addition, they sell a variety of related software, services, accessories, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications.

The company’s hardware products include the:

• iPhone smartphone
• iPad tablet computer
• Mac personal computer
• Apple Watch
• Apple TV

Apple’s software includes:

• macOS, iOS, watchOS and tvOS operating systems
• iCloud
• Apple Pay

Digital content and services are composed of the:

• Apple Music
• iTunes Store
• App Store
• Mac App Store
• TV App Store
• iBooks Store

APPLE DIVIDEND YIELD

Apple is paying an annualized forward dividend of $3.08 cents per share.  This represents a 1.7% Apple dividend yield at the recent Apple stock price.

APPLE DIVIDEND GROWTH RATE

The current Apple dividend was initiated in mid-2012.  During that year they started paying a regular quarterly dividend and have continued to do so ever since.

And they have also increased the Apple dividend every year since 2012. This represents a 7-year streak of consecutive annual dividend increases. Prior to 2012, the company had not paid a dividend to its shareholders since 1995.

In addition, during May of 2019 management announced their latest 5.5% dividend increase.  This lower percentage increase was clearly a break from the past trend. In fact, the announcement was a disappointment to me.

For my planning purposes, I am going to assume an 8% annual dividend growth in future years.

Source: Apple Investor Relations – Dividend History