Almost two weeks ago, Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) set ASX investors a-talking when it revealed its latest full-year earnings report (and Telstra dividend), covering the 12 months to 30 June 2024.
As we covered at the time, these earnings were well-received by investors. And it's not hard to see why. The ASX 200 blue-chip share reported a 1% rise in total income to $23.5 billion and a 3.6% increase in underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) to $8.2 billion.
Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) also rose 7.5% to $2.3 billion, while underlying earnings per share (EPS) shot up by 5.7% to 18.5 cents.
One-off restructuring expenses dented these metrics on a reported basis, with Telstra recording a 12.8% drop in reported NPAT to $1.8 billion, as well as a 4.2% decrease in reported EBITDA to $7.5 billion.
Even so, investors couldn't complain when the telco revealed a 5.9% rise in its final dividend for FY2024. Yep, Telstra announced a final dividend of 9 cents per share for 2024, a healthy increase over last year's equivalent payment of 8.5 cents per share. As is Telstra's habit, this payment will come with full franking credits attached.
This announcement meant that Telstra's total dividend income for FY2024 would come in at 18 cents per share. Again, that's a 5.88% rise over FY2023's total of 17 cents per share.
When we consider that this final dividend will be the largest single payout Telstra shareholders will enjoy since early 2017, it's easy to see why investors approved of this earnings report.
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How to secure Telstra's latest dividend
Saying all of that, time is rapidly running out if any ASX investors wish to receive this latest Telstra dividend but don't yet own Telstra shares.
At its dividend announcement on 15 August, the ASX 200 telco nominated tomorrow, 28 August, as its ex-dividend date. That means that anyone who doesn't yet own Telstra shares will need to buy them by the end of today's trading session.
When the shares go 'ex-div' tomorrow, anyone buying the shares will leave the rights to receive this latest dividend with the seller. So expect a drop in the Telstra share price tomorrow, reflecting this loss of value.
Telstra will then pay eligible investors this 9 cents per share payout in exactly one month's time on 26 September.
If shareholders wish to receive additional Telstra shares in lieu of the traditional cash dividend payment, they can choose the optional dividend reinvestment plan (DRP) by 30 August.
At the current Telstra share price of $4, this telco is sporting a dividend yield of 4.49%.
