Experian dividend
Experian pays dividends per share across the years shown. Experian's Benchmark free cash flow covered ordinary dividends before cash went to buybacks and acquisitions.
How much does Experian pay in dividends per share?
The pressure was clearest in FY26. Free cash flow reached US$1,465 million. Dividends were US$590 million and buybacks were US$727 million, leaving little before acquisitions. Acquisitions then required US$692 million. Net debt rose from US$3,737 million to US$5,101 million across the five year-ends. In household terms, Experian earned money after running the business, distributed much of it, bought another business, and borrowed to cover the gap.
| Mar 2026 | Mar 2025 | Mar 2024 | Mar 2023 | Mar 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPS, diluted | 163.40 | 126.50 | 130.20 | 83.60 | 124.80 |
| Real free cash flow per share | 144.40 | 128.63 | 100.65 | 98.15 | 117.48 |
| − Dividends paid, per share | 64.20 | 59.22 | 55.27 | 52.33 | 48.21 |
| − Share buybacks, per share | 79.11 | 21.58 | 13.03 | 21.06 | 18.78 |
| = FCF not paid out, per share | 15.89 | 61.39 | 46.58 | 38.65 | 66.45 |
What this means. The company’s own free cash flow per share is higher because it leaves out acquisition and unusual cash costs and minority-owner payments, while including money from selling businesses.
Is Experian's dividend covered by its cash?
Free cash flow is the cash left after running the business and funding necessary investment. In FY26, Benchmark free cash flow was US$1,583 million, while ordinary dividends were US$590 million. The difference could repay debt, fund acquisitions or repurchase shares, which explains why the free-cash-flow yield exceeds the dividend yield.
| Mar 2026 | Mar 2025 | Mar 2024 | Mar 2023 | Mar 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free cash flow | 1,465 | 1,313 | 1,059 | 1,033 | 1,231 |
| − Dividends paid | 590 | 546 | 509 | 482 | 444 |
| − Share buybacks | 727 | 199 | 120 | 194 | 173 |
| = Free cash flow not paid out | 146 | 566 | 429 | 356 | 612 |
| − Acquisitions | 692 | 1,158 | 462 | 309 | 736 |
| = Net debt | 5,101 | 4,512 | 3,803 | 3,749 | 3,737 |
What could change Experian's dividend?
Dividends rise from $0.80 per share in the first base window to $0.88 in the next. They reach $0.96 by October 2029, close to the company’s record of increases and supported by expected earnings growth. The bear case holds DPS at $0.75 because buybacks, acquisitions and leverage compete for cash. The bull case reaches $1.08 if cash conversion and operating leverage improve.
A dispute or privacy setback during October 2028–2029 would add costs while buyback-related leverage limits flexibility. The base case gains support if FY27 growth stays within guidance, margins widen and recurring cash funds both investment and repurchases.
| October 2027 | October 2028 | October 2029 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings | 1,579 (1,408 / 1,642) | 1,711 (1,439 / 1,834) | 1,848 (1,497 / 2,026) |
| Shares (millions) | 860 (864 / 857) | 853 (863 / 844) | 846 (863 / 832) |
| Dividends per share | 0.80 (0.75 / 0.82) | 0.88 (0.75 / 0.94) | 0.96 (0.75 / 1.08) |
| Price to earnings | 22.00 (17.00 / 26.00) | 21.00 (15.00 / 27.00) | 20.00 (14.00 / 28.00) |