Management must also decide on the form of the dividend distribution, generally as cash dividends or via a share buyback.

The company, which reported a net loss of $3.9 million in the first quarter, had suspended dividend distributions last year.

At the other extreme is the utilities group, largely because of its hefty dividend distributions.

The forms not only include capital gains and dividend distributions made last year but also some that were made last month.

For example, a basic rate taxpayer currently receives a net dividend distribution of £75 on his equity investment.

Marriott said that it expects to complete the special dividend distribution this September.

That makes dividend distribution, which takes a big tax bite, the primary way to return value to shareholders.

For lenders, it is specified interest payments, while returns to equity investors arise from dividend distributions or capital gains on their stock.

Suppose further that later that month the fund reinvests a dividend distribution into your account, purchasing 5 new shares.

In the No.2 position were utilities funds, which dropped only 1.6 percent, largely because of the cushion provided by their hefty dividend distributions.