Rs 8.5/Sh Dividend: Largecap Multibagger Metal Stock Vedanta Declares 4th Interim Dividend For FY25; BUY?

Vedanta Limited, the metals and mining giant, has announced its fourth interim dividend for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25). At its board meeting on Monday, December 16, 2024, the company approved a dividend of Rs 8.5 per equity share, amounting to a total payout of Rs 3,324 crore.

Dividend Details
According to the company's filing, the fourth interim dividend of Rs 8.5 per equity share will be paid to eligible shareholders based on the record date set for Tuesday, December 24, 2024. The dividend payment will adhere to the statutory timelines prescribed under law.

The latest interim dividend follows three other payouts declared earlier in FY25:
Rs 11 per share in May 2024
Rs 4 per share in August 2024
Rs 20 per share in September 2024
With the addition of this Rs 8.5 interim dividend, Vedanta's total dividend for the financial year now exceeds Rs 43.5 per share.

Vedanta Dividend History
In the last 12 months, the company has declared total dividends amounting to Rs 46 per share, yielding an impressive 8.96% dividend return. Since its listing in July 2001, the Anil Agarwal-led company has declared a total of 46 dividends.

Share Performance
Apart from its dividends, Vedanta has also delivered outstanding returns to its investors. The stock has turned into a multibagger in 2024, doubling in value and gaining nearly 100% this calendar year. The stock surged by 97% over the past year and is up 15% in the last six months. In the last three months, the stock increased by 13% and has gained 19% in the last month alone.

On Monday, December 16, ahead of the dividend announcement, Vedanta's share price closed at Rs 513.40, down by 1.21% on the BSE. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the stock ended at Rs 513.50, also down by 1.15%.

Credit Rating
India Ratings & Research, part of the Fitch Group, upgraded the rating on Vedanta's non-convertible debentures (NCDs) to IND AA-. The credit rating watch has also been revised to "developing implications" from "positive implications."

Vedanta's focus on delivering high and frequent dividends has positioned it as a preferred stock for income-focused investors. The company benefits from its portfolio in metals and mining, contributing to steady cash flows.