# Stocks Paying Dividends in September 2026: Full Schedule, Yields & Dates
September is one of the heaviest dividend months on the US calendar. Some of the market''s most reliable payers, from energy giants to healthcare blue chips to monthly-dividend REITs, all send cash to shareholders this month. Below is the complete September 2026 schedule with real yields, ex-dividend dates and pay dates, so you know exactly what is landing and when. All prices and yields are as of late August 2026.
How Do Dividend Dates Actually Work?
Before the list, here is the one rule that trips up most new investors: to receive a dividend, you must own the stock before its ex-dividend date, not the pay date. If you buy on or after the ex-date, the seller keeps that payment, not you.
There are three dates that matter:
- Ex-dividend date: the cutoff. Own the stock the day before this to qualify.
- Record date: the day the company checks its books (usually right after the ex-date).
- Pay date: the day the cash actually hits your brokerage account.
So if a stock pays on September 30 but its ex-date already passed in August, you had to be a shareholder back then to collect. That is why the table below shows both dates. It is the difference between planning ahead and missing out.
Which Stocks Pay Dividends in September 2026?
Here are 19 well-known US companies sending dividends to shareholders in September 2026, sorted by pay date. The dividend shown is the annual amount per share; divide by four for the typical quarterly check (Realty Income pays monthly).
| Company | Annual Dividend | Yield | Ex-Dividend Date | Pay Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pfizer (PFE) | $1.72 | 6.1% | Jul 24 | Sep 1 |
| Honeywell (HON) | $2.80 | 1.3% | Aug 14 | Sep 4 |
| Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) | $5.36 | 2.0% | Aug 25 | Sep 8 |
| Southern Company (SO) | $3.04 | 3.4% | Aug 17 | Sep 8 |
| Microsoft (MSFT) | $3.64 | 0.7% | Aug 20 | Sep 10 |
| ExxonMobil (XOM) | $4.12 | 2.6% | Aug 17 | Sep 10 |
| Chevron (CVX) | $7.12 | 3.6% | Aug 19 | Sep 10 |
| IBM (IBM) | $6.76 | 2.9% | Aug 10 | Sep 10 |
| Amgen (AMGN) | $10.08 | 2.3% | Aug 21 | Sep 11 |
| 3M (MMM) | $3.12 | 1.8% | Aug 24 | Sep 11 |
| NextEra Energy (NEE) | $2.49 | 3.1% | Aug 28 | Sep 15 |
| Realty Income (O) | $3.25 | 5.3% | Aug 31 | Sep 15 |
| Duke Energy (DUK) | $4.34 | 3.6% | Aug 14 | Sep 16 |
| McDonald''s (MCD) | $7.44 | 2.8% | Sep 1 | Sep 16 |
| Home Depot (HD) | $9.32 | 2.8% | Sep 3 | Sep 17 |
| Dominion Energy (D) | $2.67 | 4.1% | Sep 4 | Sep 20 |
| UnitedHealth (UNH) | $9.28 | 2.4% | Sep 14 | Sep 22 |
| Lockheed Martin (LMT) | $13.80 | 2.5% | Sep 1 | Sep 25 |
| PepsiCo (PEP) | $5.92 | 4.2% | Sep 4 | Sep 30 |
Notice something important: for many of these, the ex-dividend date already passed in August. That means the September payment is locked in only for people who already owned the shares. You are seeing the cash arrive, but the deadline to qualify is behind them.
Can You Still Buy In Time to Collect a September Dividend?
Yes, several names still have ex-dividend dates ahead. If you buy before the ex-date listed, you qualify for the next payout. Here are the stocks with ex-dates still open in September 2026, including a few that pay in early October:
| Company | Yield | Ex-Dividend Date | Pay Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald''s (MCD) | 2.8% | Sep 1 | Sep 16 |
| Lockheed Martin (LMT) | 2.5% | Sep 1 | Sep 25 |
| Home Depot (HD) | 2.8% | Sep 3 | Sep 17 |
| Dominion Energy (D) | 4.1% | Sep 4 | Sep 20 |
| PepsiCo (PEP) | 4.2% | Sep 4 | Sep 30 |
| UnitedHealth (UNH) | 2.4% | Sep 14 | Sep 22 |
| Coca-Cola (KO) | 2.4% | Sep 15 | Oct 1 |
| Merck (MRK) | 2.3% | Sep 15 | Oct 7 |
| Altria (MO) | 6.5% | Sep 15 | Oct 9 |
One quick caution: chasing a dividend just to grab a single payment rarely works. On the ex-date, a stock typically drops by roughly the dividend amount. The real value of these companies is the durable, growing income stream over years, not one check.
Which September Payers Have the Highest Yields?
If income is your priority, a handful of these stand out. Altria (MO) leads at 6.5%, followed by Pfizer (PFE) at 6.1% and Realty Income (O) at 5.3%. PepsiCo (PEP) at 4.2% and Dominion Energy (D) at 4.1% round out the high-yield tier.
But higher yield is not automatically better. A yield above 5-6% can be the market signaling doubt about future growth or dividend safety. Pfizer''s elevated yield, for example, reflects a stock that has struggled post-pandemic. Always check the payout ratio and earnings trend before buying for yield alone. A steadily rising 2-3% dividend from a healthy business often beats a shaky 6%.
Want to filter dividend stocks by yield, payout ratio and sector yourself? Our Stock Screener lets you build a custom income watchlist in seconds.
What This Means for Investors: September Is a Dividend Investor''s Month
September delivers a rich mix of income, from defensive healthcare and utilities to energy majors and consumer staples. The key takeaways: own shares before the ex-dividend date, do not chase yield blindly, and favor companies with a long track record of raising payouts.
Smart move: Build a diversified basket across sectors rather than concentrating in the single highest yield. Pairing a utility like Duke Energy (DUK), a staple like PepsiCo (PEP), and a monthly payer like Realty Income (O) smooths your income and reduces single-stock risk. Watch out for: Stretched payout ratios and one-time special dividends dressed up as yield. Sustainable income beats a flashy number every time.Check the live price, yield, payout ratio and dividend history for any of these on their stock page before you buy.
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This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Dividend dates and amounts are subject to change by each company; always verify with the company or your broker before investing.
