SmarterDividends
DSU

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

DSU

Financial Services · Asset Management · Stock · monthly payer

$8.78

Undervalued · +122% Add to Portfolio

Forward Yield

13.49%

Annual Dividend

$1.19

Payout Ratio

269%

5-Yr Growth

7.4%

Ex-Date

Oct 15, 2026

Frequency

Monthly

Key facts about DSU's dividend

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Oct 14, 2026, BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) has a forward dividend yield of 13.49%, based on an annual dividend of $1.19 per share and a share price of $8.78.
  • As of Oct 14, 2026, DSU's dividend safety grade from SmarterDividends is C (59 out of 100), which rates the dividend as borderline.
  • DSU last cut its regular dividend in 2021.
  • DSU's next ex-dividend date is Oct 15, 2026, with payment on Oct 30, 2026. Shares must be owned before that date to receive the dividend.
  • As of Oct 14, 2026, DSU pays out 269% of its trailing 12-month earnings as dividends (its payout ratio).
  • DSU's dividend has grown at an average rate of 7.4% a year over the past five years.
  • As of Oct 14, 2026, DSU's 13.49% yield is 45% above its five-year average yield of 9.28%.
  • As of Oct 14, 2026, SmarterDividends' blended fair-value estimate for DSU is $19.53 per share, 122% above the $8.78 share price, so DSU screens as undervalued.
  • BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) pays its dividend monthly, 12 times a year.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "DSU Dividend: Yield, Safety Grade & Next Ex-Date," updated Oct 14, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/DSU

Summary

As of Oct 14, 2026, BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) yields 13.49% ($1.19 a year per share) and has a dividend safety grade of C (59/100).

Is DSU a good dividend stock?

Yes, with caveats

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) pays a monthly dividend yielding 13.49% ($1.19/yr), with 0 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. It's a solid income payer, but check the caveats below before buying.

Advantages

  • Strong 7.4% 5-yr dividend growth

Risks

  • Cut its dividend in 2021
  • Elevated payout ratio (269%)
  • Very high yield can signal elevated risk
  • Share price is down over the past 5 years

Key Data

Dividend Yield
13.49%
Payout Ratio
269%
Annual Dividend
$1.19
5-Yr Avg Growth
7.4%
Ex-Dividend Date
Oct 15, 2026
Years of Growth
0
Frequency
monthly
Beta
0.51
Market Cap
$568.8M
P/E Ratio
20.0
5-Yr Total Return
-24%
52-Week Range
$8.78 – $10.43
Dividend Safety
C · 59/100
Ever Cut?
Yes (2021)
DSU ex-dividend date & scheduleNext ex-date Oct 15, 2026 · full ex-dividend historyView →DSU dividend historyEvery payment, totals by year, raises and cutsView →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DSU a good dividend stock?

Yes, with caveats. BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) pays a monthly dividend yielding 13.49% ($1.19/yr), with 0 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. It's a solid income payer, but check the caveats below before buying.

Is DSU undervalued?

Based on a blend of discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings-multiple estimate, DSU's fair value is about $19.53 versus a $8.78 share price — so it looks undervalued (+122% vs. fair value).

Is DSU's dividend safe?

DSU has a dividend-safety grade of C (59/100), based on its payout coverage, free-cash-flow, 0-year growth streak, a dividend cut in 2021, debt and yield-versus-history.

What is DSU's fair value?

Our blended fair-value estimate for DSU is about $19.53 per share, roughly 122% above the current $8.78 price — combining a discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings multiple.

Is DSU a buy, hold, or sell?

We don't issue formal ratings, but on the data DSU screens as "yes, with caveats" and undervalued. BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) pays a monthly dividend yielding 13.49% ($1.19/yr), with 0 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. It's a solid income payer, but check the caveats below before buying. This is research for your own analysis, not investment advice.

Will DSU cut its dividend?

DSU earns a dividend-safety grade of C (59/100), and has cut its dividend before (last in 2021). A higher score means lower cut risk based on payout coverage, cash flow and history — but no score guarantees a dividend.

Does DSU pay a dividend?

Yes. BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. pays a monthly dividend of about $1.19 per share annually, a forward yield of roughly 13.49%.

What is DSU's dividend yield?

As of Oct 14, 2026, DSU's forward dividend yield is 13.49%, based on a $1.19 annual dividend and a $8.78 share price.

What is DSU's dividend per share?

As of Oct 14, 2026, DSU pays $1.19 per share per year, distributed on a monthly basis.

What is DSU's dividend payout ratio?

As of Oct 14, 2026, DSU's payout ratio is 269% of trailing 12-month earnings — an elevated level worth watching, as it leaves less cushion if earnings dip.

How many years has DSU grown its dividend?

DSU does not currently have a long dividend-growth streak on record.

When is the next DSU ex-dividend date?

As of Oct 14, 2026, the next ex-dividend date on record for DSU is Oct 15, 2026.

Income Calculator

At $1.19 / yr per share

Per payment (monthly)$9.88
Annual$118.50
Monthly avg$9.88

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