Question

Distinguish between the following:
Interim dividend and Final dividend.

Answer 1

	Interim dividend	Final dividend
1	Meaning Interim dividend is the dividend which is declared between two annual general meetings of a company	Final dividend is the dividend which is declared at the annual general meeting of the company.
2	When declared? Interim dividend is declared when the company makes good profit in the first half of the financial year. I.e. declared before the end of the financial year	Final dividend is declared at the completion of financial year in Annual General Meeting of the company
3	Who declares? Interim dividend is declared by the Board by passing a resolution if they are authorised by articles	Final dividend is recommended by the Board and declared by the shareholders by passing ordinary resolution (decision) at Annual General Meeting
4	Rate of Dividend The rate of interim dividend is less than final dividend	The rate of final dividend is generally more than interim dividend.
5	Legal Aspects:- Declaration of interim dividend becomes risky and illegal, if company incurs loss at the end of the year.	Declaration of final dividend is always legal, as it is declared only after ascertaining (discover) the correct profit on the basis of the audited accounts
6	Authorisation of Articles Authorisation of Articles is necessary for declaration of interim dividend	Authorisation (approval) of Articles is not necessary for the declaration of final dividend.
7	Sources for declaration An interim dividend is declared on the basis of the better financial prospective results may it to be quarterly, half yearly etc	There are number of sources available for declaring the final dividend. It can be declared out of current profits or profits of the previous years or out of reserves or out of capital profits out of the financial assistance specifically provided by Government for dividend