NICE (NICE) DIvidends Date & History

Key Takeaways

• NICE Ltd does not currently pay dividends, with the last payout in 2017.
• Current dividend yield stands at 0.00%, and payout ratio is 0.00%.
• The company prioritizes share repurchases, recently announcing a $600 million buyback program.
• Robust free cash flow of approximately $698 million supports capital returns via buybacks.
• Financial health is strong, with low debt and healthy earnings coverage for potential future dividends.
• Peers in software like CRM offer modest yields around 0.9-1%, but many pay none.

Dividend Overview

NICE Ltd (NICE), a leader in cloud-based customer engagement and financial crime compliance software, does not currently pay dividends. The company's dividend yield is 0.00%, with no forward annual dividend rate. The last quarterly dividend of $0.16 per share was paid on March 15, 2017, with an ex-dividend date of February 23, 2017. Prior to suspension, NICE maintained a modest quarterly payout schedule from 2013 to 2017.

This profile aligns with many high-growth software firms that reinvest earnings into AI innovation, cloud expansion, and acquisitions rather than distributing cash dividends. Instead of dividends, NICE focuses on share repurchases to return capital, reflecting a growth-oriented strategy over immediate income generation. Investors seeking yield may find limited appeal here, but those prioritizing total returns through buybacks and appreciation could benefit.

Dividend History and Growth

NICE Ltd initiated dividends in 2013 with a special payout equivalent to $0.64 per share annually, followed by quarterly distributions of $0.16 per share through 2017. There were no increases during this period, and payments ceased thereafter, resulting in no dividend growth streak.

The suspension coincided with a strategic shift toward accelerating cloud revenue growth and AI investments. Recent SEC filings and investor relations updates confirm no resumption, with capital allocated to share buybacks—over $1 billion in capacity recently—including a new $600 million program announced in early 2026. This long-term strategy emphasizes reinvestment for expansion in competitive markets like customer engagement platforms.

Dividend Sustainability and Payout Ratio

With no active dividend, sustainability is not applicable, and the payout ratio remains 0.00%. NICE generates strong free cash flow (FCF) of $697.6 million in fiscal 2025 (trailing twelve months around $586-698 million), supported by $2.95 billion in revenue and $612 million in net income. Operating cash flow stands at $717 million, with minimal capital expenditures of $19 million.

Low debt levels ($164 million total debt vs. $417 million cash) and a net cash position yield a debt-to-equity ratio under 0.12, bolstering financial stability. Earnings per share (EPS) of $9.67 (TTM) provide ample coverage for potential future payouts. Share buybacks, yielding around 3-7% recently, serve as the primary return mechanism, funded sustainably by FCF.

Dividend Compared to Industry Peers

In the software application industry, particularly CRM and customer engagement peers, dividend yields are generally low. NICE's 0.00% yield matches many growth-oriented competitors like ServiceNow (NOW) and Twilio (TWLO), which pay nothing to fuel expansion.

Salesforce (CRM) recently initiated a modest ~0.9-1.0% yield, while Oracle (ORCL) offers ~1.3%. Verint (VRNT) and Five9 (FIVN) pay 0.00%. The application software sector average hovers below 1%, with growth names averaging near 0.43%. NICE's buyback focus provides comparable shareholder yield to peers' modest dividends.

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Is This Stock Attractive for Dividend Investors?

NICE Ltd may not suit traditional income or high-yield dividend investors due to its 0.00% yield and lack of payouts since 2017. Conservative retirees seeking steady quarterly checks would find better options among utilities or consumer staples with 3-5% yields.

However, growth-oriented dividend investors or total return seekers could view NICE favorably. Robust FCF ($698 million) funds aggressive buybacks ($600 million program), delivering 3-7% buyback yield—often more tax-efficient than dividends. This enhances EPS and supports appreciation in AI-driven cloud platforms. Long-term holders prioritizing capital gains over income, especially in tech, may appreciate the strategy. Peers like CRM blend modest yields with growth, but NICE's zero payout mirrors many SaaS leaders. Balanced portfolios might allocate modestly for diversification into customer engagement software.

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