Does Apple pay a cash dividend?
On July 24, 2012, Apple's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $2.65 per share of the Company's common stock. The dividend is payable on August 16, 2012, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 13, 2012. The ex-dividend date is August 9, 2012.
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investor.apple.com/faq.cfmIf you hold a certificate, you will get a check in the mail. If you hold shares with a broker, the account will get credited on pay date
Dividends are paid at the discretion of the board of directors announced and paid, typically, quarterly. There is no assurance that this will continue, nor that it will remain at a set level. Companies pay dividends based upon their belief that business will remain stable and that it's the best use of their cash. If business is shaky (financial companies stating in 2008) they can and will adjust the payments downward.
Further, tax policy, weighs heavily.
In 2003 when tax rates dropped from 39% to 15% most companies significantly increased their dividends, or paid "special one time dividends" (for example Microsoft was ~$27/share and paid a one time $3/share dividend in 2004, later on they resumed their quarterly 8 cent dividend).
In 2013 there is the potential for the rates to revert to the higher level, one can expect all companies to reassess paying generous dividends in high tax environment. (if up to half the money they pay out goes to tax...there are other more efficient ways to reward shareholders, such as share repurchases, etc.)