If you’re still looking for the fiat chrysler stock dividend on your brokerage statement, you might feel like you’re chasing a ghost. Honestly, that’s because the company technically doesn't exist anymore—at least not in the way it used to. When Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) merged with Peugeot (PSA) to form Stellantis (STLA) back in early 2021, everything changed.
The old ticker is gone. The old board is gone. But the cash? Well, that’s a different story.
You’ve probably noticed that the automotive world moves fast, but the financial paperwork moves even faster. If you held shares during that wild transition, you didn't just get new stock; you got hit with a massive payout that many investors still have questions about today.
The $3.4 Billion Goodbye: That Special Merger Dividend
Before the ink was even dry on the merger papers, Fiat Chrysler promised its shareholders a "parting gift." It was a special cash dividend of €1.84 per common share. At the time, that was roughly $2.24 per share depending on the exchange rate.
Basically, the company wanted to empty some of the coffers before joining forces with the French. There was a lot of drama behind the scenes—PSA actually balked at the original amount because of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the industry's liquidity. Eventually, they settled on the €2.9 billion total ($3.4 billion).
- The Ex-Date: January 14, 2021.
- The Record Date: January 15, 2021.
- The Pay Date: January 29, 2021.
If you bought shares on January 14 or later, you missed the boat. This is a classic mistake. People see a big dividend announced and rush in, but if you don't own the stock before that ex-dividend date, the previous owner gets the check, not you.
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Life After Fiat: The Stellantis Era
Since the merger, the fiat chrysler stock dividend has evolved into the Stellantis dividend. Stellantis hasn't been shy about paying out, either. They’ve settled into a rhythm of paying one large annual dividend rather than quarterly chunks, which is pretty standard for European-based companies.
Kinda annoying if you like a monthly check, but the yields have been eye-watering lately. For example, in May 2024, Stellantis paid out €1.55 per share. If you were holding the stock when it was trading around $20, that's a massive yield.
Recent Payout History (The STLA Transition)
| Year | Dividend Amount (EUR) | Payment Date | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | €0.68 | May 5, 2025 | Ordinary |
| 2024 | €1.55 | May 3, 2024 | Ordinary |
| 2023 | €1.34 | May 4, 2023 | Ordinary |
| 2021 | €0.32 | April 28, 2021 | Special |
Wait, why did the 2025 dividend drop so much? Honestly, the auto market in late 2024 and early 2025 got messy. High interest rates cooled off car buying, and Stellantis had to tighten the belt. They still paid out €2.0 billion total, but compared to the €4.7 billion they dropped in 2024, it felt like a haircut to long-term holders.
The Tax Trap: Why Your Check Might Be Smaller
Here is something most people get wrong about the fiat chrysler stock dividend legacy. Because Stellantis is a Dutch tax-resident company, you’re almost certainly getting hit with a 15% Dutch withholding tax.
If you live in the U.S. and hold these shares in a standard brokerage account, you might see a "foreign tax withheld" line item. You can usually claim this as a foreign tax credit on your Form 1040, but it’s an extra step that makes "simple" dividends feel like a part-time job.
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If you hold the stock in an IRA or 401(k), it gets even more complicated. There are ways to get "Relief at Source" so they don't take the tax out to begin with, but you have to be proactive with your broker. Most people just ignore it and lose 15% of their payout every year. Don't be that person.
Is the Dividend Safe for 2026?
Looking ahead to the 2026 corporate calendar, Stellantis has already scheduled their Annual General Meeting (AGM) for April 14, 2026. This is where they formally approve the dividend for the previous fiscal year.
If they follow the usual pattern:
- Announcement: Late February 2026 (during FY2025 results).
- Ex-Dividend Date: Around April 20, 2026.
- Payment Date: Early May 2026.
The 2025 fiscal year was tough for Jeep and Ram sales. Management has been aggressive about cutting costs, but they also have a massive share buyback program running. Sometimes buybacks compete with dividends for the same pool of cash. If you're invested specifically for the income, you need to watch the "payout ratio"—essentially how much of their earnings they are giving away. As long as that stays under 40%, the dividend is usually considered "safe" by Wall Street standards.
Why Investors Still Talk About Fiat Chrysler
People still search for "fiat chrysler stock dividend" because the FCAU era was legendary for special payouts. Remember the Ferrari spin-off? Or the Magneti Marelli sale?
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The company had a habit of selling off parts of itself and handing the cash directly to shareholders. Stellantis is a bigger, more corporate machine. It’s less of a "wild west" value play and more of a global titan trying to survive the EV transition.
The strategy now is more about "synergies"—a corporate buzzword for "we're firing people and sharing parts to save money." It’s working, though. By combining Fiat, Chrysler, Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel, they’ve managed to keep margins higher than many expected, even if the stock price has been a rollercoaster.
What You Should Do Now
If you still have old certificates or haven't checked your account since 2020, you need to verify that your FCAU shares were properly converted to STLA. Most brokerages did this automatically, but if you hold physical stock or use an old-school transfer agent, you might have unclaimed cash sitting in an escrow account.
- Check your cost basis: The special dividend in 2021 might have lowered your cost basis for tax purposes. Talk to a tax pro.
- Review your withholding: Check if you're paying that 15% Dutch tax and see if your broker offers a way to reclaim it.
- Watch the February 2026 Earnings: This is the moment they will signal how much cash is coming in the May 2026 payout.
The era of Fiat Chrysler is over, but the income stream is very much alive. It’s just wearing a different badge now.
Actionable Insight: If you are looking for high-yield automotive exposure, verify the current payout ratio of Stellantis (STLA) compared to peers like Ford or GM. Stellantis historically offers a higher yield but carries more "geopolitical" risk due to its complex European and North American manufacturing footprint. Ensure your brokerage account is set up to handle foreign tax withholdings to avoid losing a chunk of your 2026 payout to the Dutch government.