Dividend Information
Common Stock Dividends
Dividends are paid quarterly as determined by TransAlta's Board of Directors. In determining the level of the dividend, the Board assesses the dividend payout as a percentage of earnings and as a percentage of cash flow from operations over a period of time. The Board continues to focus on building sustainable earnings, cash flow, and dividend growth and has adopted a formal dividend policy that targets to pay shareholders an annual dividend in the range of 60 to 70 per cent of comparable earnings.
All dividends paid by TransAlta in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 are pursuant to subsection 89(14) of the Income Tax Act, designated as eligible dividends. An eligible dividend paid to a Canadian resident is entitled to the enhanced dividend tax credit.
Common stock dividends are paid on the first of the month in January, April, July and October. When a dividend payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is made the following business day. Dividends are paid in Canadian dollars.
| Payment Date | Record Date | Ex-Dividend Date | Amount |
| April 1, 2012 | March 1, 2012 | Feb. 28, 2012 | $0.29 |
| Jan. 1, 2012 | Dec. 1, 2011 | Nov. 29, 2011 | $0.29 |
| Oct. 1, 2011 | Sept. 1, 2011 | Aug. 30, 2011 | $0.29 |
| July 1, 2011 | June 1, 2011 | May 26, 2011 TAC* | $0.29 |
| July 1, 2011 | June 1, 2011 | May 30, 2011 TA* | $0.29 |
| April 1, 2011 | March 1, 2011 | Feb. 25, 2011 | $0.29 |
| Jan. 1, 2011 | Dec. 1, 2010 | Nov. 29, 2010 | $0.29 |
| Oct. 1, 2010 | Sept. 1, 2010 | Aug. 30, 2010 | $0.29 |
| July 1, 2010 | June 1, 2010 | May 28, 2010 | $0.29 |
| April 1, 2010 | March 1, 2010 | Feb. 25, 2010 | $0.29 |
| Jan. 1, 2010 | Dec. 1, 2009 | Nov. 27, 2009 | $0.29 |
| Oct. 1, 2009 | Sept. 1, 2009 | Aug. 28, 2009 | $0.29 |
| July 1, 2009 | June 1, 2009 | May 28, 2009 | $0.29 |
| April 1, 2009 | March 1, 2009 | Feb. 25, 2009 | $0.29 |
| Jan. 1, 2009 | Dec. 1, 2008 | Nov. 26, 2008 TAC** | $0.27 |
| Jan. 1, 2009 | Dec. 1, 2008 | Nov. 27 2008 TA** | $0.27 |
| Oct. 1, 2008 | Sept. 1, 2008 | Aug. 27, 2008 | $0.27 |
| July 1, 2008 | June 1, 2008 | May 28, 2008 | $0.27 |
| April 1, 2008 | March 1, 2008 | Feb. 27, 2008 | $0.27 |
| Jan. 1, 2008 | Dec. 1, 2007 | Nov. 29, 2007 | $0.25 |
| Oct. 1, 2007 | Sept. 1, 2007 | Aug. 30, 2007 | $0.25 |
| July 1, 2007 | June 1, 2007 | May 30, 2007 | $0.25 |
| April 1, 2007 | March 1, 2007 | Feb. 27, 2007 | $0.25 |
| Jan. 1, 2007 | Dec. 1, 2006 | Nov. 29, 2006 | $0.25 |
*Note: The dividend payment has two Ex-Dividend dates due to the American Memorial day holiday. The Toronto Stock Exchange (TA) Ex-Dividend Date is May 30, 2011. The New York Stock Exchange (TAC) Ex-Dividend date is May 26, 2011.
**Note: The dividend payment has two Ex-Dividend dates due to the American Thanksgiving holiday. The Toronto Stock Exchange (TA) Ex-Dividend date is November 27, 2008. The New York Stock Exchange (TAC) Ex-Dividend date is November 26, 2008.
Preferred Share Dividends
Preferred share dividends are paid on the last day of the month in March, June, September, and December. When a dividend payment falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is made on the following business day. Only dividend payments that have been approved by the Board of Directors are included in the following table.
Cumulative Redeemable Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series A
Fixed cumulative preferential Series A cash dividends are paid quarterly when declared by the Board at the annual rate of $1.15 per share from the date of issue December 10, 2010 to but exceeding March 31, 2016.
| Payment Date | Record Date | Ex-Dividend Date | Amount |
| March 31, 2012 | March 1, 2012 | Feb. 28, 2012 | $0.2875 |
| Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 1, 2011 | Nov. 29, 2011 | $0.2875 |
| Sept. 30, 2011 | Sept. 1, 2011 | Aug. 30, 2011 | $0.2875 |
| June 30, 2011 | June 1, 2011 | May 30, 2011 | $0.2875 |
| March 31, 2011 | March 1, 2011 | Feb. 25, 2011 | $0.3497* |
*Note: The first quarterly dividend payble is based on a longer period, starting from the issue date of December 10, 2010 to March 31, 2011.
Cumulative Redeemable Rate Reset First Preferred Shares, Series C
Fixed cumulative preferential Series C cash dividends are paid quarterly when declared by the Board at the annual rate of $1.15 per share for the initial period ending June 30, 2017.
| Payment Date | Record Date | Ex-Dividend Date | Amount |
| March 31, 2012 | March 1, 2012 | Feb. 28, 2012 | $0.3844* |
*Note: The first quarterly dividend payble is based on a longer period, starting from November 29, 2011 to March 31, 2012.
Dividend History (Common Stock)
| Year | Annual Dividend | Year | Annual Dividend | |
| 2011 | $1.16 | |||
| 2010 | $1.16 | 2000 | $1.00 | |
| 2009 | $1.16 | 1999 | $1.00 | |
| 2008 | $1.08 | 1998 | $0.99 | |
| 2007 | $1.00 | 1997 | $0.98 | |
| 2006 | $1.00 | 1996 | $0.98 | |
| 2005 | $1.00 | 1995 | $0.98 | |
| 2004 | $1.00 | 1994 | $0.98 | |
| 2003 | $1.00 | 1993 | $0.98 | |
| 2002 | $1.00 | 1992 | $0.98 | |
| 2001 | $1.00 | 1991 | $0.98 |
Transalta's common shares have paid regular quarterly dividends since 1956.
Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (DRASP)
Conveniently reinvest your TransAlta dividends and purchase common shares without brokerage costs. Additional Information about TransAlta's DRASP is available by clicking here.
For More Information:
Shareholder inquiries regarding change of address, stock transfer, registered shareholdings, dividend or multiple copies of mailed material should be directed to CIBC Mellon Trust Company.
CIBC Mellon Trust Company
P.O. Box 7010 - Adelaide Street Station
Toronto, Ontario M5C 2W9
Phone: 1-800-387-0825 toll free in North America
Phone: (416) 813-4600 in Toronto or outside North America
Fax: (416) 813-4555
Email: inquiries@cibcmellon.com
© 2009 TransAlta.