Vedanta Declares ₹16 Second Interim Dividend for FY26; Total Payout Crosses ₹6,200 Crore – Should Investors Stay Bullish?

Vedanta Dividend

Mumbai, August 21, 2025 – In a major announcement for income-focused investors, Vedanta Limited (NSE: VEDL) has declared its second interim dividend of ₹16 per share for the financial year 2025-26. This payout marks one of the biggest shareholder rewards in the Indian metals & mining sector this year.


🔑 Key Dividend Details

  • Dividend Amount: ₹16 per share (Second Interim Dividend FY26)
  • Record Date: August 27, 2025 – investors holding shares by this date will be eligible
  • Total Payout: Approximately ₹6,256 crore
  • Earlier Dividend (June 2025): ₹7 per share (First Interim Dividend FY26) worth ~₹2,737 crore

With this, Vedanta has already announced ₹23 per share in FY26 dividends within just two months of the new financial year.


📊 Dividend History & Yield

  • Total Dividends (Last 12 months): ~₹35.50 – ₹43.50 per share (depending on source)
  • Dividend Yield: 8% – 9.9% (among the highest in India’s metal & mining sector)
  • Sector Comparison: Vedanta’s yield is nearly 3x the industry average (~3.1%)

This makes Vedanta one of the top dividend-paying companies in India, ahead of many PSU giants and private majors.


💰 Why Such High Dividends?

Vedanta’s strategy has long been shareholder-friendly, focusing on high cash returns through regular interim dividends.

Key Drivers:

  1. Strong EBITDA Margins (~35%) – driven by zinc, aluminum, and oil & gas businesses
  2. Cash Reserves (~$2.2B) – ensures liquidity for payouts
  3. High Promoter Stake – Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Resources benefits directly from these dividends, which also help in managing group debt

However, critics argue that excessive dividend payouts may strain balance sheets and primarily serve parent company obligations.


⚠️ Investor Concerns

  • High Payout Ratio: Reports suggest Vedanta’s dividend payout ratio is over 80% (even crossing 100% of earnings in some quarters).
  • Debt Pressure: Parent company Vedanta Resources faces refinancing needs, raising concerns that dividends may be diverted for debt servicing.
  • Commodity Price Risks: Vedanta’s fortunes are closely tied to global zinc, aluminum, copper, and crude oil prices. Any downturn could impact sustainability of dividends.

Recently, Viceroy Research even alleged that Vedanta’s dividend strategy was designed to fund its UK parent’s obligations rather than support long-term shareholder wealth – a claim Vedanta has rejected.


📈 Market Impact

  • Stock Movement: Vedanta’s shares have been volatile – often rallying before dividend announcements and correcting after the ex-date.
  • Dividend-Hunters’ Favorite: With a yield close to 10%, Vedanta remains a strong pick for dividend investors, though long-term growth seekers remain cautious.

🔮 Outlook – What Should Traders Do?

  • For Dividend Investors: Vedanta remains one of the most attractive dividend-yielding stocks on Dalal Street. Holding through the record date guarantees ₹16/share cash reward.
  • For Traders: Expect volatility near the record and ex-dividend dates. Short-term corrections often follow heavy dividend payouts.
  • For Long-Term Investors: Evaluate risks carefully. While dividends are high, debt levels and global metal cycles remain critical watchpoints.

📌 Quick Snapshot

  • ✅ Latest Dividend: ₹16/share
  • 📅 Record Date: August 27, 2025
  • 💵 FY26 Dividend so far: ₹23/share
  • 📊 Dividend Yield: 8–9.9%
  • ⚠️ Risks: Parent company debt, high payout ratio, commodity volatility

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