Vedanta Declares Third Interim Dividend for FY26, Totaling Rs 34 per Share

Vedanta's Latest Dividend Announcement

The board of Vedanta, under the leadership of founder and chairman Anil Agarwal, has sanctioned its third interim dividend for the financial year FY26. This latest distribution is set at Rs 11 per equity share, resulting in a total payout of Rs 4,300 crore. This follows previous interim dividends of Rs 16 and Rs 7 per share, bringing the total dividend for FY26 to Rs 34 per share thus far. The mining giant has been actively rewarding its shareholders this year, with the second interim dividend amounting to Rs 6,256 crore and the first at Rs 2,737 crore. Altogether, the three dividends have totaled Rs 13,293 crore.

After the announcement, Vedanta's stock experienced a slight increase, trading 0.57 percent higher at Rs 649.40 on the BSE on Tuesday, indicating sustained investor interest. On the previous day, March 24, the stock had a minor rise of 0.031 percent, reaching Rs 645.95.

Record Date and Payment Schedule

Vedanta has established the record date for this dividend. "As previously communicated, the record date for the dividend payment will be Saturday, March 28, 2026, and the interim dividend will be paid within the legally prescribed timelines," the company stated in an official announcement on Monday. Shareholders registered by this date will qualify for the dividend payout.

Vedanta's Consistent Dividend History

Vedanta has a robust track record of delivering value to its shareholders. Data from AceEquity reveals that the company distributed Rs 43.50 per share in FY25, totaling Rs 16,772 crore. In FY24, the payout was Rs 29.50 per share, amounting to Rs 10,959 crore. Notably, FY23 featured a remarkable dividend of Rs 101.50 per share, aggregating Rs 37,572 crore, showcasing the company's aggressive dividend strategy.

Future Dividend Prospects and Financial Health

During the Q3 earnings call on January 29, Group CFO Ajay Goel suggested the possibility of additional payouts. "Historically, we have committed to a dividend yield of around 6 percent, and what we have distributed this fiscal year is nearly 3 percent. Therefore, a dividend payment in the fourth quarter is probable, pending board approvals, which would cover the entire dues of approximately $275 million in that quarter," he noted. Vedanta's financials indicate a trend of improving stability, with net debt recorded at Rs 60,624 crore and cash and cash equivalents at Rs 20,085 crore as of the December quarter. The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio has improved to 1.23 times from 1.4 times, reflecting better leverage management. Additionally, borrowing costs have fallen below 9 percent during the quarter. Goel concluded, "Overall, as we have stated previously, Vedanta resources will be self-sufficient and self-funded to maintain a 5 percent dividend and routine brand fee moving forward."