Comp X International (CIX) DIvidends Date & History

Key Takeaways

• CompX International (CIX) pays a regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, translating to an annualized payout of $1.20 and a dividend yield of approximately 5%, well above the broader industrials sector average.
• The company has a long track record of continuous dividend payments dating back to 1999 and has grown its regular quarterly dividend significantly — from $0.05 per share in 2018 to $0.30 per share today — reflecting a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 21%.
• Beyond regular quarterly distributions, CIX has a history of issuing substantial special dividends, including $2.00 per share in August 2024 and $1.00 per share in August 2025, materially enhancing total shareholder returns.
• The company carries zero long-term debt on its balance sheet and held approximately $54 million in cash as of December 2025, providing a strong financial foundation for ongoing dividend payments.
• With a payout ratio of approximately 76% based on regular earnings and a free cash flow payout ratio near 80%, the dividend appears adequately covered, though the margin for error is narrower than some conservative income investors may prefer.

Dividend Overview

CIX, the ticker for CompX International Inc., represents a small-cap industrial manufacturer with a dividend profile that stands out in the industrials sector. The company pays a regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, which at recent trading levels produces a dividend yield of roughly 5%. That figure significantly exceeds the average dividend yield of the broader U.S. stock market and the industrial machinery and equipment peer group, where yields typically range between 1.2% and 1.8%.

CompX is not a traditional dividend growth stock in the sense of annual incremental increases; rather, it combines steady quarterly distributions with occasional large special dividends. This hybrid approach has made CIX an intriguing name for income-focused investors who value both recurring income and the potential for supplemental cash returns. The dividend is paid quarterly, with the most recent ex-dividend date landing on June 4, 2026.

Dividend History and Growth

CompX International has maintained a consistent dividend program for over 25 years, with uninterrupted quarterly payments stretching back to at least 1999. The company's regular quarterly dividend has risen dramatically over the past decade. In 2014 through 2018, the quarterly payout stood at just $0.05 per share. By 2020, it had doubled to $0.10. Another doubling came in 2021 to $0.20, and by 2024, the quarterly rate reached $0.30 per share, where it remains today. According to data from GuruFocus, the five-year dividend growth rate for CIX sits at approximately 21.1%, while the ten-year growth rate is roughly 25.8% — figures that place the company among the faster dividend growers in its peer group.

In addition to the regular quarterly payout, CompX has distributed notable special dividends in recent years: $1.75 per share in August 2022, $2.00 per share in August 2024, and $1.00 per share in August 2025. These special dividends have been funded by the company's strong cash reserves and have meaningfully boosted total annual shareholder yield. Investors should note that special dividends are discretionary and not guaranteed, and year-over-year comparisons of total dividend income may therefore fluctuate.

Dividend Sustainability and Payout Ratio

Sustainability is a critical lens through which to evaluate any dividend stock, and CompX presents a mixed but generally solid picture. Based on the regular annual dividend of $1.20 per share and trailing twelve-month earnings per share (EPS) of approximately $1.58 to $1.64, the payout ratio hovers around 73% to 76%. This means the company distributes roughly three-quarters of its net income as dividends — a level that is manageable but leaves limited buffer in the event of an earnings downturn.

On a free cash flow (FCF) basis, the coverage is tighter. CompX generated $19.12 million in free cash flow during fiscal 2025, down from $21.51 million in 2024 and $24.68 million in 2023. The FCF payout ratio is approximately 80%, indicating that most of the company's cash-generating capacity is already directed toward dividends. However, two important factors strengthen the sustainability case: first, CompX carries zero long-term debt, eliminating interest obligations that could otherwise pressure cash flows during lean periods; and second, the company held roughly $54 million in cash and equivalents at the end of 2025, providing a substantial cushion. The absence of debt and the strong cash reserve give management considerable flexibility to sustain the dividend through economic cycles.

Dividend Compared to Industry Peers

When measured against comparable companies in the security products, industrial machinery, and business services industries, CompX's dividend yield of roughly 5% stands well above the peer-group average. According to industry data, the average dividend yield for companies in the security and protection services segment is approximately 1.2%, while the broader industrial machinery and equipment sector averages around 1.75%. Peer companies such as NL (NL Industries, Inc., CIX's parent company), EML (The Eastern Company), and ALLE (Allegion PLC) generally offer lower yields. NL Industries, for instance, carries a dividend yield of approximately 4.6%, while Allegion yields closer to 1.2%. Within the small-cap industrial space, CIX's combination of a high regular yield, periodic special dividends, and a debt-free balance sheet makes it a clear outlier relative to both its direct competitors and the broader industry.

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Is This Stock Attractive for Dividend Investors?

CompX International may appeal most directly to income-oriented investors who prioritize current yield and are comfortable with a small-cap industrial company. With a dividend yield near 5% and a history of supplemental special dividends, CIX offers a meaningful income stream that is rare among industrials of its size. The company's zero-debt balance sheet and sizable cash reserves further strengthen its appeal for conservative investors who value financial stability.

Dividend growth investors may also find CIX compelling given the rapid expansion of its regular quarterly payout over the past five to ten years. However, the growth trajectory is not guaranteed — the company does not follow a formal policy of annual increases, and the pace of future dividend growth will depend on earnings performance and management's capital allocation decisions. Investors who require predictable, clockwork-like annual increases may find larger, established dividend aristocrats more suitable.

The relatively high payout ratio (around 76% of earnings) and the declining free cash flow trend warrant attention. While the dividend appears sustainable under current conditions, an economic slowdown that compresses demand for security products or marine components could pressure earnings and, by extension, the dividend. Overall, CIX fits best within a diversified income portfolio and may be most appropriate for investors with a long-term horizon who are willing to accept the inherent volatility of a small-cap stock in exchange for an above-average and growing yield.

Disclaimer

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