ITC Limited shares opened in negative territory on May 22, 2026, a day after the company announced its fourth-quarter results for the fiscal year 2025-26 and declared a dividend of Rs 8 per share. The stock opened at Rs 432.50 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), down from its previous close of Rs 438.70.
ITC Q4 Results and Dividend Announcement
The diversified conglomerate reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 5,200 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, a growth of 8% year-on-year. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 22,500 crore, up 10% from the same period last year. The board of directors recommended a final dividend of Rs 8 per equity share for the financial year 2025-26, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming annual general meeting.
Record Date for Dividend
ITC has fixed June 7, 2026, as the record date for the purpose of determining eligible shareholders for the dividend payment. The dividend will be paid within 30 days from the date of declaration at the AGM, which is scheduled for July 15, 2026. Investors holding shares as of the record date will be entitled to the dividend.
Market Reaction
Despite the positive earnings and dividend announcement, ITC shares faced selling pressure in early trade on Friday. Analysts attributed the decline to profit-booking after the stock had rallied nearly 5% in the past week. The broader market also witnessed a subdued opening, with the BSE Sensex trading lower by 0.2% at the time of writing.
Analyst Views
Brokerage firms have maintained a mixed outlook on ITC. While some highlight the company's strong performance in the cigarettes and FMCG segments, others point to regulatory risks and valuation concerns. Kotak Institutional Equities has a 'buy' rating with a target price of Rs 480, while Motilal Oswal has an 'accumulate' rating with a target of Rs 460.
ITC Stock Performance
Over the past year, ITC shares have given a return of approximately 18%, outperforming the benchmark index. The stock has been supported by robust earnings growth and consistent dividend payouts. ITC has a history of rewarding shareholders with regular dividends, and the current dividend yield stands at around 1.8% based on the current share price.
Dividend History
ITC has been one of the most consistent dividend-paying companies in India. In the previous fiscal year, the company had declared an interim dividend of Rs 6 per share and a final dividend of Rs 7 per share, totaling Rs 13 per share. For the current year, the total dividend including the interim dividend of Rs 6 paid earlier stands at Rs 14 per share.
Outlook
Going forward, ITC's performance will be closely watched, especially in the backdrop of changing consumer preferences and regulatory environment. The company's focus on expanding its FMCG portfolio and digital initiatives is expected to drive long-term growth. However, near-term volatility may persist due to global macroeconomic headwinds and domestic inflationary pressures.
