When are dividends declared?

Dividends are declared at the discretion of the board of directors. This means that it is the board's responsibility to determine if and when dividends will be distributed to shareholders. The board considers various factors, such as the company's profitability, cash flow, and future investment needs, before making this decision.

Choosing to declare dividends is a way for the board to distribute earnings to shareholders, but it is not solely tied to whether the company has reported a profit in a particular quarter or year. Dividends can be declared even if there has been a profit, provided the board believes that it is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. Additionally, this decision is independent of the completion of annual audits or any time constraints regarding fiscal year-end. These considerations have no bearing on the board’s authority to decide on dividend declarations as they have the flexibility to do so throughout the year, based on the company's financial situation and strategic goals.