Rio Tinto Limited
View past dividends
You can check the historical dividend payments made by Rio Tinto Limited to shareholders. Rio Tinto has a progressive dividend policy - in other words, we aim to increase the value of dividends that you receive, year-on-year.
- Dividend history
- Share dividend reinvestment plan
| Description | Dividend amount | Imputation credit | Record date | Payment date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US cents/share | Aus cents/share | Aus cents/share | |||
| Final 2009 | 45.0 | 51.56 | 22.1 | 2 March 2010 | 1 April 2010 |
| Final 2008 | 68.0 | 101.48 | 43.49 | 24 February 2009 | 8 April 2009 |
| Interim 2008 | 68.0 | 77.35 | 33.15 | 9 September 2008 | 2 October 2008 |
| Final 2007 | 84.0 | 93.02 | 39.866 | 26 February 2008 | 11 April 2008 |
| Interim 2007 | 52.0 | 60.69 | 26.01 | 14 August 2007 | 6 September 2007 |
| Final 2006 | 64.0 | 82.84 | 35.50 | 17 March 2007 | 13 April 2007 |
| Interim 2006 | 40.0 | 52.48 | 22.491 | 15 August 2006 | 7 September 2006 |
| Special 2005 | 110.0 | 145.42 | 62.323 | 28 February 2006 | 6 April 2006 |
| Final 2005 | 41.5 | 54.86 | 23.511 | 28 February 2006 | 6 April 2006 |
| Interim 2005 | 38.5 | 50.56 | 21.668 | 16 August 2005 | 8 September 2005 |
| Final 2004 | 45.0 | 58.29 | 24.98 | 1 March 2005 | 8 April 2005 |
| Interim 2004 | 32.0 | 45.53 | 19.513 | 17 August 2004 | 10 September 2004 |
| Final 2003 | 34.0 | 44.68 | 19.149 | 16 March 2004 | 6 April 2004 |
| Interim 2003 | 30.0 | 45.02 | 19.294 | 19 August 2003 | 12 September 2003 |
| Final 2002 | 30.5 | 51.87 | 22.230 | 12 March 2003 | 7 April 2003 |
| Interim 2002 | 29.5 | 54.06 | 23.169 | 20 August 2002 | 13 September 2002 |
| Final 2001 | 39.0 | 75.85 | 32.507 | 13 March 2002 | 8 April 2002 |
| Interim 2001 | 20.0 | 39.42 | 16.894 | 17 August 2001 | 14 September 2001 |
| Final 2000 | 38.5 | 69.76 | 35.937 | 9 March 2001 | 6 April 2001 |
| Interim 2000 | 19.0 | 32.68 | 16.835 | 18 August 2000 | 15 September 2000 |
| Final 1999 | 38.5 | 61.47 | 34.577 | 10 March 2000 | 7 April 2000 |
| Interim 1999 | 16.5 | 25.64 | 14.423 | 13 August 1999 | 31 August 1999 |
| Final 1998 | 35.5 | 55.56 | 31.253 | 17 March 1999 | 7 April 1999 |
Dividend policy
The aim of Rio Tinto's long standing progressive dividend policy is to increase the US dollar value of dividends over time, without reducing them in economic downturns. From 2002 the rate of the total annual dividend, in US dollars, is reviewed in the light of the results for the past year and the outlook for the current year. The interim dividend is set at one half of the total dividend for the previous year. Under the progressive dividend policy the final dividend for each year is expected to be at least equal to the previous interim dividend.
Dividend determination
As the majority of the Group's sales are transacted in US dollars it is the most reliable currency in which to measure the Group's financial performance and is its main reporting currency. The US dollar is therefore the natural currency for dividend determination. Dividends determined in US dollars are translated at exchange rates prevailing two days prior to announcement and are then declared payable in sterling by Rio Tinto plc and in Australian dollars by Rio Tinto Limited.
Australian shareholders of Rio Tinto plc can elect to receive dividends in Australian dollars and UK shareholders of Rio Tinto Limited can elect to receive dividends in sterling.
Dividend mandates
Directly registered Australian and UK shareholders may elect to have cash dividends paid directly into any bank, building society or credit union account in Australia.
Dividends and taxation - Dividend imputation system
The basis of the Australian dividend imputation system is that when Australian resident shareholders receive dividends from Rio Tinto Limited, they may be entitled to a credit for the tax paid by the Company in respect of that income, depending on the tax status of the shareholder. The application of the system results in the tax paid by the Company being allocated to shareholders by way of imputation credits attaching to the dividends they receive. Such dividends are known are franked dividends. A dividend may be partly or fully franked. Any imputation credits attached to the dividend are shown in the Dividend Statement provided to shareholders.
Fully franked dividends
Since 1988, all dividends have been fully franked. It is the Company's policy to pay fully franked dividends whenever possible.