Nasdaq (NDAQ) DIvidends Date & History

Key Takeaways

• Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) pays a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share, with an annualized dividend of $1.24 per share and a dividend yield of approximately 1.41%.
• The company has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 10%, reflecting a disciplined commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
• The payout ratio stands at approximately 34% of earnings and about 23% of free cash flow, indicating a well-covered and sustainable dividend with ample room for future increases.
• Nasdaq's dividend yield is modest compared to some higher-yielding financial stocks, but its dividend growth track record makes it appealing for long-term dividend growth investors.
• The most recent ex-dividend date was June 12, 2026, with a payment date of June 26, 2026. The prior quarterly dividend of $0.27 was paid on March 30, 2026.
• The company operates a diversified business model spanning trading, clearing, market technology, and data analytics, providing resilient cash flow generation that supports consistent dividend payments.

Dividend Overview

Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) is a global technology and financial services company that operates exchanges, provides market data, and delivers trading and regulatory technology solutions. The company pays a quarterly cash dividend, most recently $0.31 per share declared in April 2026, bringing the trailing twelve-month dividend to $1.24 per share. At current market prices, this translates to a dividend yield of approximately 1.41%. While the yield is not among the highest in the financial sector, Nasdaq is widely regarded as a dividend growth stock rather than a high-yield play. The company has prioritized consistent annual increases since initiating its dividend in 2012, and its quarterly payment schedule provides a steady income stream for shareholders. The combination of a modest payout ratio, strong free cash flow generation, and a diversified revenue base across trading, data, listings, and technology services positions Nasdaq as a reliable dividend payer with a clear emphasis on sustainable, long-term growth.

Dividend History and Growth

Nasdaq initiated its dividend in 2012 and has increased it every year since, marking 14 consecutive years of dividend growth. The annual dividend per share has climbed from $0.0867 in 2012 to $1.24 on a trailing twelve-month basis as of mid-2026. Recent annual dividend totals underscore the steady upward trajectory: $0.78 in 2022, $0.86 in 2023, $0.94 in 2024, and $1.05 in 2025. Year-over-year increases have ranged from roughly 5% to 16%, with a five-year CAGR of approximately 10%. The quarterly per-share rate increased from $0.24 in early 2025 to $0.27 in mid-2025, and most recently to $0.31 in June 2026, reflecting management's confidence in the company's earnings power. Nasdaq has never reduced or suspended its dividend, even during periods of economic stress such as the 2020 market downturn. This track record reflects the durability of its cash-flow-generative business model, which is anchored by recurring revenue streams from market data subscriptions, technology contracts, and listing fees, rather than solely transaction-based income.

Dividend Sustainability and Payout Ratio

Nasdaq's dividend appears well-protected based on several key financial metrics. The payout ratio based on trailing twelve-month earnings stands at approximately 34%, while the payout ratio based on free cash flow is even lower at roughly 23%. These figures are comfortably below the 50–60% threshold that typically raises sustainability concerns, leaving significant headroom for both future dividend increases and reinvestment in the business. Nasdaq's diversified business model generates steady, recurring cash flows from subscription-based market data and technology services, which helps insulate the dividend from volatility in trading volumes. The company also maintains a solid balance sheet and continues to invest in growth areas such as anti-financial-crime technology (including its Verafin platform) and market infrastructure modernization. The combination of a low payout ratio, recurring revenue streams, and disciplined capital allocation supports the view that Nasdaq's dividend is both sustainable and positioned for continued growth.

Dividend Compared to Industry Peers

Within the financial exchange and market infrastructure sector, Nasdaq's dividend profile is competitive but distinct. CME Group Inc. (CME), which operates futures and options exchanges, typically offers a higher dividend yield in the range of 2.0–2.3%, supplemented by periodic special dividends. ICE (Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.) generally provides a yield of around 1.0–1.2%, similar to Nasdaq but with a different growth trajectory. CBOE Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe) offers a yield in the 1.2–1.5% range. Nasdaq's yield of approximately 1.41% places it in the middle of the exchange peer group. Where Nasdaq differentiates itself is through its consistent annual dividend increases and its exposure to secular growth trends in market technology, data, and anti-financial-crime solutions. This blend of a competitive yield and a strong dividend growth track record makes Nasdaq an appealing compound-growth story among exchange operators.

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Is This Stock Attractive for Dividend Investors?

Nasdaq, Inc. is best suited for dividend growth investors and long-term, total-return-oriented investors rather than those seeking high current income. With a dividend yield of approximately 1.41%, the stock does not compete with high-yield alternatives in sectors such as utilities or telecommunications. However, for investors who prioritize consistent dividend increases, a low payout ratio, and the potential for compounding income over time, Nasdaq presents a compelling proposition. The 14-year dividend growth streak and double-digit CAGR demonstrate management's commitment to sharing profits with shareholders. The company's diversified, technology-driven business model generates reliable cash flows that support both organic reinvestment and capital returns. Conservative investors may appreciate the relatively low payout ratio, which provides a buffer during periods of market stress. Growth-oriented dividend investors may find Nasdaq's combination of modest yield, strong dividend growth, and exposure to secular trends in financial technology an attractive fit for a balanced, long-term portfolio.

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