Bharti Airtel, the country’s second largest telecom company, has given great news to its investors. The company has announced a final dividend of Rs 24 per equity share for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26). This is the largest annual dividend in the history of Airtel. The company has set the record date for this on 24th July 2026. However, to avail the benefit of this dividend, investors will have to buy shares of the company till July 23.
The company had said in May 2026 that its board of directors has recommended a final dividend of Rs 24 per fully paid-up equity share. Now after the record date has been fixed, it has become clear that this payment will be made to the eligible investors, provided the approval of the shareholders is obtained.
Why is 23rd July the last chance?
Bharti Airtel has said in the information given to the stock exchange that investors whose names are registered in the depository records of the company till the close of business on July 24, will get dividend.
Under SEBI’s T+1 settlement system, the shares reach the investor’s demat account one trading day after purchasing the shares. So if an investor buys Airtel shares by July 23, they will be transferred to his demat account by July 24 and he will become entitled to receive the dividend.
It has been giving dividends continuously in the past also.
Bharti Airtel’s record of paying dividend has also been strong. The company has given dividend 22 times since July 2009. Last year the company had given a dividend of Rs 16 per share and before that it had given a dividend of Rs 8 per share. At present the dividend yield of the company is around 0.84%.
What is the brokerage’s opinion on the stock?
On Friday, Airtel shares were seen trading around Rs 1,915 with a decline of about 1%. However, the stock has shown a rise of about 8% in the last one month. At the same time, it has given excellent returns to investors in the long term. The stock has given returns of 116% in the last three years and 261% in the last five years.
International brokerage firm Nomura has maintained ‘Buy’ rating on Airtel and set its target price at Rs 2,355. The brokerage believes that after the 5G network expansion is almost completed and the capital expenditure is reduced, the free cash flow of the company will be strong, which may further improve its financial condition in future.
