March is bringing a flurry of rewards for stock market investors – dividends rolling in, stock splits making shares more affordable, and bonus shares adding extra value. If you are invested in these companies or looking to enter the market, these are the key dates to watch-
Dividends: A payout bonanza
SBI Life Insurance – Rs 2.70 Per Share
SBI Life Insurance is offering an interim dividend of Rs 2.7 per share for FY25. The record date is March 7, and eligible shareholders can expect their payouts by March 30.
SBI Life Insurance has consistently rewarded its shareholders with interim dividends over the years. In 2024, the company declared a dividend of Rs 2.70 per share on March 15, following Rs 2.50 per share in 2023 on March 16. In 2022, the interim dividend stood at Rs 2.00 per share, paid on March 29, while in 2021, it was Rs 2.50 per share, announced on April 5.
Metro Brands – Rs 14.50 Per Share
Metro Brands will turn ex-dividend on March 7, rewarding investors with an interim dividend of Rs 3 per share and a special dividend of Rs 14.5 per share.
Earlier, it announced a final dividend of Rs 2.25 per share on September 6, 2024, and an interim dividend of Rs 2.75 per share on January 31, 2024. In the previous year, Metro Brands rewarded shareholders with a final dividend of Rs 1.50 per share on September 1, 2023.
Castrol India – Rs 9.50 Per Share
Castrol India has declared a final dividend of Rs 9.5 per share, including a Rs 4.50 special dividend. If approved, payouts will be credited by April 23.
In 2024, the company announced an interim dividend of Rs 3.50 per share on August 7, following a final dividend of Rs 4.50 per share on March 21. In 2023, investors received an interim dividend of Rs 3.00 per share on August 8 and a final dividend of Rs 3.50 per share on May 4.
HUDCO – Awaiting board decision
The board of Housing & Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) is set to meet on March 10 to finalise a second interim dividend. The record date for eligibility is March 14.
In 2025, it announced an interim dividend of Rs 2.05 per share on January 30. In 2024, it paid Rs 2.65 as a final dividend on September 13 and Rs 1.50 as an interim dividend on March 28. In 2023, the final dividend was Rs 3.10 per share on September 8.
Stock splits and bonus shares in focus
Tech firm Coforge is set to make its shares more accessible with a 1:5 stock split, breaking down each Rs 10 share into five smaller shares of Rs 2 each, with the record date yet to be announced. Pharma player IOL Chemicals is also following suit, turning ex-split on March 11 as it adjusts its share face value from Rs 10 to Rs 2. Meanwhile, SBC Exports is rewarding investors with a 1:2 bonus issue, giving one extra share for every two held, with the record date now set for March 10.