SmarterDividends
CRF

Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc.

CRF

Financial Services · Asset Management · Stock · monthly payer

$5.59

Undervalued · +122% Add to Portfolio

Forward Yield

25.25%

Annual Dividend

$1.41

Payout Ratio

128%

5-Yr Growth

-8.0%

Ex-Date

Nov 13, 2026

Frequency

Monthly

Key facts about CRF's dividend

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Oct 27, 2026, Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) has a forward dividend yield of 25.25%, based on an annual dividend of $1.41 per share and a share price of $5.59.
  • As of Oct 27, 2026, CRF's dividend safety grade from SmarterDividends is C (52 out of 100), which rates the dividend as borderline.
  • CRF last cut its regular dividend in 2024.
  • CRF's next ex-dividend date is Nov 13, 2026, with payment on Nov 30, 2026. Shares must be owned before that date to receive the dividend.
  • As of Oct 27, 2026, CRF pays out 128% of its trailing 12-month earnings as dividends (its payout ratio).
  • CRF's dividend has shrunk at an average rate of 8.0% a year over the past five years.
  • As of Oct 27, 2026, CRF's 25.25% yield is 44% above its five-year average yield of 17.54%.
  • As of Oct 27, 2026, SmarterDividends' blended fair-value estimate for CRF is $12.42 per share, 122% above the $5.59 share price, so CRF screens as undervalued.
  • Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) pays its dividend monthly, 12 times a year.
  • Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) has raised its regular dividend 22 times and cut it 29 times across the 353 payments on record since 1987. Its most recent change was a 0.9% increase to $0.118 per share, going ex-dividend on Jan 15, 2026. The last cut went ex-dividend on Jan 12, 2024.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "CRF Dividend: Yield, Safety Grade & Next Ex-Date," updated Oct 27, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/CRF

Summary

As of Oct 27, 2026, Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) yields 25.25% ($1.41 a year per share) and has a dividend safety grade of C (52/100).

Is CRF a good dividend stock?

Mixed

Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) pays a monthly dividend yielding 25.25% ($1.41/yr), with 1 year of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. The picture is mixed — the dividend pays, but safety or growth signals are weaker than ideal.

Advantages

    Risks

    • Cut its dividend in 2024
    • Elevated payout ratio (128%)
    • Dividend has been shrinking, not growing
    • Very high yield can signal elevated risk
    • Share price is down over the past 5 years

    Key Data

    Dividend Yield
    25.25%
    Payout Ratio
    128%
    Annual Dividend
    $1.41
    5-Yr Avg Growth
    -8.0%
    Ex-Dividend Date
    Nov 13, 2026
    Years of Growth
    1
    Frequency
    monthly
    Beta
    1.25
    Market Cap
    $951.8M
    P/E Ratio
    4.9
    5-Yr Total Return
    -56%
    52-Week Range
    $5.78 – $8.16
    Dividend Safety
    C · 52/100
    Ever Cut?
    Yes (2024)

    CRF dividend raises and cuts

    Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) has raised its regular dividend 22 times and cut it 29 times across the 353 payments on record since 1987. Its most recent change was a 0.9% increase to $0.118 per share, going ex-dividend on Jan 15, 2026. The last cut went ex-dividend on Jan 12, 2024.

    Ex-dateChangeOld → newMove
    Jan 15, 2026Raise$0.117 → $0.118+0.9%
    May 15, 2025Raise$0.115 → $0.117+2.0%
    Jan 15, 2025Raise$0.102 → $0.115+12.5%
    Jan 12, 2024Cut$0.115 → $0.102−11.1%
    Jan 13, 2023Cut$0.170 → $0.115−32.4%
    Jan 13, 2022Raise$0.151 → $0.170+12.3%
    Jan 14, 2021Cut$0.176 → $0.151−14.4%
    Jan 14, 2020Cut$0.195 → $0.176−9.5%
    Jan 14, 2019Cut$0.225 → $0.195−13.5%
    Jan 12, 2018Raise$0.225 → $0.225+0.4%
    Jan 11, 2017Cut$0.274 → $0.225−17.9%
    Jan 13, 2016Cut$0.325 → $0.274−16.0%
    Show all 51 changes since 1988
    Ex-dateChangeOld → newMove
    Jan 13, 2015Cut$0.341 → $0.325−4.6%
    Jan 13, 2014Cut$0.357 → $0.341−4.4%
    Jan 11, 2013Cut$0.384 → $0.357−7.1%
    Jan 11, 2012Cut$0.435 → $0.384−11.7%
    Jan 12, 2011Cut$0.475 → $0.435−8.3%
    Jan 13, 2010Cut$0.620 → $0.475−23.4%
    Jan 13, 2009Cut$1.27 → $0.620−51.2%
    Jan 11, 2008Cut$1.40 → $1.27−9.0%
    Jan 10, 2007Raise$1.38 → $1.40+1.1%
    Dec 11, 2003Raise$1.29 → $1.38+6.7%
    Oct 10, 2003Raise$1.29 → $1.30+0.6%
    Feb 13, 2002Cut$1.96 → $1.29−34.0%
    Apr 18, 2000Cut$2.04 → $1.96−3.8%
    Dec 21, 1999Raise$1.96 → $2.04+4.0%
    Oct 20, 1999Cut$2.06 → $1.96−4.9%
    Jul 21, 1999Raise$1.96 → $2.06+5.2%
    Apr 21, 1999Cut$2.12 → $1.96−7.4%
    Dec 16, 1998Raise$2.04 → $2.12+3.8%
    Oct 21, 1998Cut$2.12 → $2.04−3.7%
    Jul 22, 1998Raise$1.80 → $2.12+17.4%
    Apr 15, 1998Cut$2.90 → $1.80−37.8%
    Dec 17, 1997Raise$2.04 → $2.90+42.3%
    Jul 16, 1997Cut$2.20 → $2.04−7.1%
    Apr 16, 1997Raise$2.04 → $2.20+7.7%
    Jul 17, 1996Cut$2.20 → $2.04−7.1%
    Apr 17, 1996Raise$2.12 → $2.20+3.7%
    Oct 18, 1995Raise$2.04 → $2.12+3.8%
    Apr 17, 1995Raise$1.96 → $2.04+4.0%
    Apr 18, 1994Cut$2.20 → $1.96−10.7%
    Oct 18, 1993Cut$2.27 → $2.20−3.4%
    Jul 19, 1993Cut$2.43 → $2.27−6.5%
    Jul 20, 1992Cut$2.67 → $2.43−8.8%
    Apr 20, 1992Cut$3.14 → $2.67−15.0%
    Dec 19, 1991Raise$2.75 → $3.14+14.3%
    Oct 12, 1990Raise$2.67 → $2.75+2.9%
    Oct 13, 1989Raise$2.59 → $2.67+3.0%
    Mar 13, 1989Raise$2.43 → $2.59+6.5%
    Sep 12, 1988Raise$2.20 → $2.43+10.7%
    Jun 6, 1988Cut$2.59 → $2.20−15.2%
    Every CRF payment →Download every raise and cut (CSV)
    CRF ex-dividend date & scheduleNext ex-date Nov 13, 2026 · full ex-dividend historyView →CRF dividend historyEvery payment, totals by year, raises and cutsView →

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is CRF a good dividend stock?

    Mixed. Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) pays a monthly dividend yielding 25.25% ($1.41/yr), with 1 year of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. The picture is mixed — the dividend pays, but safety or growth signals are weaker than ideal.

    Is CRF undervalued?

    Based on a blend of discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings-multiple estimate, CRF's fair value is about $12.42 versus a $5.59 share price — so it looks undervalued (+122% vs. fair value).

    Is CRF's dividend safe?

    CRF has a dividend-safety grade of C (52/100), based on its payout coverage, free-cash-flow, 1-year growth streak, a dividend cut in 2024, debt and yield-versus-history.

    What is CRF's fair value?

    Our blended fair-value estimate for CRF is about $12.42 per share, roughly 122% above the current $5.59 price — combining a discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings multiple.

    Is CRF a buy, hold, or sell?

    We don't issue formal ratings, but on the data CRF screens as "mixed" and undervalued. Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. (CRF) pays a monthly dividend yielding 25.25% ($1.41/yr), with 1 year of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. The picture is mixed — the dividend pays, but safety or growth signals are weaker than ideal. This is research for your own analysis, not investment advice.

    Will CRF cut its dividend?

    CRF earns a dividend-safety grade of C (52/100), and has cut its dividend before (last in 2024). A higher score means lower cut risk based on payout coverage, cash flow and history — but no score guarantees a dividend.

    Does CRF pay a dividend?

    Yes. Cornerstone Total Return Fund, Inc. pays a monthly dividend of about $1.41 per share annually, a forward yield of roughly 25.25%.

    What is CRF's dividend yield?

    As of Oct 27, 2026, CRF's forward dividend yield is 25.25%, based on a $1.41 annual dividend and a $5.59 share price.

    What is CRF's dividend per share?

    As of Oct 27, 2026, CRF pays $1.41 per share per year, distributed on a monthly basis.

    What is CRF's dividend payout ratio?

    As of Oct 27, 2026, CRF's payout ratio is 128% of trailing 12-month earnings — an elevated level worth watching, as it leaves less cushion if earnings dip.

    How many years has CRF grown its dividend?

    As of Oct 27, 2026, CRF has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

    When is the next CRF ex-dividend date?

    As of Oct 27, 2026, the next ex-dividend date on record for CRF is Nov 13, 2026.

    Income Calculator

    At $1.41 / yr per share

    Per payment (monthly)$11.75
    Annual$141.00
    Monthly avg$11.75

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