When did Microsoft first declare its dividend?

Answer 1

Microsoft's first ever dividend was for $0.08 per share paid on February 19, 2003. It would have been declared sometime in the previous thirty days. If you need the exact declaration date, it can be found in the CRSP database, or by searching through the Dow Jones Ticker.

To verify the dates of their dividends, go to Yahoo! Finance using the link below.

Answer 2

A company news release described the payment as Microsoft's "second annual dividend," apparently because it is being paid in the company's fiscal year 2004, which began July 1. The software giant paid its first ever dividend in March.