Dividend History & Yield API
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Retrieve historical dividend payments, ex-dividend dates, and a daily dividend yield time-series for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. Unlike most dividend APIs that return only discrete payment events, the divyield mode produces a continuous yield value for every trading day — calculated from the trailing twelve-month dividend divided by that day's closing price — ready for charting, screening, and factor models. Dividend history spans 14+ years for most listed companies, and every response includes pre-computed TTM dividend and current yield in the metadata. The API is free to use.
Two data modes available:
https://data.businessquant.com/dividends?{identifier}&mode={mode}&api_key={api_key}
Related endpoints: Pair dividend data with the Stock Quotes API for price-adjusted yield analysis. Use the Financial Statements API to calculate payout ratios from reported earnings. Identify dividend-paying companies with the Stock Screener API.
1. Request Parameters
Provide an API key and exactly one identifier — ticker, CIK, or Series ID. The mode parameter controls whether you receive discrete dividend payment events (dps) or a daily yield time-series (divyield). Both modes return the same metadata block with TTM dividend, current yield, and date coverage.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| api_key |
Required
Your unique API key for authentication.
|
| ticker |
Conditional
Identifier
Stock Ticker. (Provide exactly one: ticker, cik, or seriesid).
Format:
ticker=AAPL |
| cik |
Conditional
Identifier
CIK Number. (Provide exactly one: ticker, cik, or seriesid).
Format:
cik=320193 |
| seriesid |
Conditional
Identifier
Series ID for mutual funds and ETFs.
Format:
seriesid=S000009189 |
| mode |
Optional
dps — dividend per share events with ex-date and payment date (default). divyield — daily dividend yield time-series for every trading day.
Format:
mode=divyield |
curl -X GET "https://data.businessquant.com/dividends?ticker=AAPL&mode=dps&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY"
curl -X GET "https://data.businessquant.com/dividends?cik=320193&mode=divyield&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY"
2. Sample Response
The viewer below shows Apple's dividend payment history in DPS mode. Each row is a discrete dividend event with ex-date, payment date, and per-share amount. Switch to JSON to inspect the raw response structure including the metadata block with TTM dividend and current yield.
DPS: File not found:
templates/api-responses/dividends-dps.json Yield: File not found: templates/api-responses/dividends-divyield.json 3. Response Field Reference
Both modes share the same metadata block. The data array structure differs by mode.
Metadata Fields (both modes)
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ticker | string | Resolved ticker symbol. |
| cik | integer | SEC Central Index Key. |
| range | string | Date range of available dividend data (e.g., "2012-2026"). |
| divyield | number | Current trailing twelve-month dividend yield as a decimal (e.g., 0.0035 = 0.35%). |
| ttmdividend | number | Trailing twelve-month total dividend per share in dollars. |
| lastdividend | string | Date of the most recent dividend payment. |
| nextdividend | string|null | Next scheduled ex-dividend date, if announced. |
| mode | string | Active mode: "dps" or "divyield". |
Data Fields — DPS Mode
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| dividend | number | Dividend amount per share in dollars. |
| ex_date | string | Ex-dividend date (YYYY-MM-DD). Buy before this date to receive the payment. |
| payment_date | string | Date the dividend is paid to shareholders of record. |
Data Fields — Divyield Mode
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| reportperiod | string | Trading date (YYYY-MM-DD). |
| value | number | Dividend yield for that day as a decimal (e.g., 0.0035 = 0.35%). Calculated as TTM dividend ÷ closing price. |
Dividend History & Yield Request Examples
Copy any request below directly into your application.
https://data.businessquant.com/dividends?ticker=AAPL&mode=dps&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY
https://data.businessquant.com/dividends?cik=320193&mode=divyield&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY
https://data.businessquant.com/dividends?seriesid=S000009189&mode=dps&api_key=YOUR_API_KEY
Frequently Asked Questions
What data modes does the Dividends API support?
Two modes: DPS (dividend per share) returns every discrete dividend payment with its ex-date and payment date. Divyield returns a daily dividend yield time-series — one yield value for every trading day — calculated from the trailing twelve-month dividend divided by the closing price.
Does this API cover ETFs and mutual funds in addition to stocks?
Yes. You can query by ticker or CIK for stocks, or by Series ID for mutual funds and ETFs. All three identifier types return the same response structure.
How far back does the dividend history go?
Dividend data extends back 14+ years for most listed companies. The metadata.range field in each response shows the exact date range available for that security.
What is the daily dividend yield time-series?
Unlike most dividend APIs that only return discrete payment events, the divyield mode returns a yield value for every trading day — calculated as the trailing twelve-month dividend divided by that day's closing price. This produces a continuous time-series suitable for charting, screening, and factor models.
Is the Dividend History & Yield API free to use?
Yes, the Dividends API is free to use. Sign up for an API key to start pulling dividend payments and yield time-series immediately.