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Dividend

A dividend is a cash payment some companies or funds make to investors.

Why this matters

Dividends can provide income and can be reinvested to support long-term compounding.

Simple example

If a stock pays a $1 annual dividend per share and you own 100 shares, you receive $100.

Common mistakes

  • Chasing only high dividend yield without checking quality.
  • Assuming dividends are guaranteed forever.
  • Ignoring taxes on dividend income.

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