SmarterDividends
EMD

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund (EMD) Dividend

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. · Financial Services · Asset Management · monthly payer

$9.39

Undervalued · +55% Add to Portfolio

As of Nov 8, 2026, Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund (EMD) pays a monthly dividend of $0.0950 per share, or $1.14 a year, a 12.14% yield at its $9.39 share price. The next ex-dividend date is Nov 20, 2026, paid Dec 4, 2026. It has raised its dividend 2 years in a row and has a dividend safety grade of C.

Forward Yield

12.14%

Annual Dividend

$1.14

Payout Ratio

73%

5-Yr Growth

-1.1%

Ex-Date

Nov 20, 2026

Frequency

Monthly

Key facts about EMD's dividend

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 8, 2026, Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (EMD) has a forward dividend yield of 12.14%, based on an annual dividend of $1.14 per share and a share price of $9.39.
  • As of Nov 8, 2026, EMD's dividend safety grade from SmarterDividends is C (59 out of 100), which rates the dividend as borderline.
  • By SmarterDividends' count, Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (EMD) has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years as of Nov 8, 2026.
  • EMD last cut its regular dividend in 2023.
  • EMD's next ex-dividend date is Nov 20, 2026, with payment on Dec 4, 2026. Shares must be owned before that date to receive the dividend.
  • As of Nov 8, 2026, EMD pays out 73% of its trailing 12-month earnings as dividends (its payout ratio).
  • EMD's dividend has shrunk at an average rate of 1.1% a year over the past five years.
  • As of Nov 8, 2026, EMD's 12.14% yield is 20% above its five-year average yield of 10.15%.
  • As of Nov 8, 2026, SmarterDividends' blended fair-value estimate for EMD is $14.54 per share, 55% above the $9.39 share price, so EMD screens as undervalued.
  • Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (EMD) pays its dividend monthly, 12 times a year.
  • Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (EMD) has raised its regular dividend 10 times and cut it 12 times across the 267 payments on record since 2004. Its most recent change was a 5.6% increase to $0.0950 per share, going ex-dividend on Jun 23, 2025. The last cut went ex-dividend on Mar 23, 2023.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "EMD Dividend: Yield, Safety Grade & Next Ex-Date," updated Nov 8, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/EMD

Is EMD a good dividend stock?

Yes, with caveats

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (EMD) pays a monthly dividend yielding 12.14% ($1.14/yr), with 2 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. It's a solid income payer, but check the caveats below before buying.

Advantages

    Risks

    • Cut its dividend in 2023
    • 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
    12.14%
    Payout Ratio
    73%
    Annual Dividend
    $1.14
    5-Yr Avg Growth
    -1.1%
    Ex-Dividend Date
    Nov 20, 2026
    Years of Growth
    2
    Frequency
    monthly
    Beta
    0.87
    Market Cap
    $545.8M
    P/E Ratio
    6.0
    5-Yr Total Return
    -28%
    52-Week Range
    $9.05 – $11.30
    Dividend Safety
    C · 59/100
    Ever Cut?
    Yes (2023)

    EMD dividend raises and cuts

    Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (EMD) has raised its regular dividend 10 times and cut it 12 times across the 267 payments on record since 2004. Its most recent change was a 5.6% increase to $0.0950 per share, going ex-dividend on Jun 23, 2025. The last cut went ex-dividend on Mar 23, 2023.

    Ex-dateChangeOld → newMove
    Jun 23, 2025Raise$0.0900 → $0.0950+5.6%
    Mar 24, 2025Raise$0.0880 → $0.0900+2.3%
    Dec 23, 2024Raise$0.0850 → $0.0880+3.5%
    Sep 21, 2023Raise$0.0700 → $0.0850+21.4%
    Mar 23, 2023Cut$0.0800 → $0.0700−12.5%
    Jun 22, 2022Cut$0.0900 → $0.0800−11.1%
    Dec 22, 2020Cut$0.0950 → $0.0900−5.3%
    Sep 22, 2020Cut$0.100 → $0.0950−5.0%
    Apr 19, 2017Cut$0.105 → $0.100−4.8%
    Jun 17, 2015Cut$0.115 → $0.105−8.7%
    Sep 17, 2014Cut$0.120 → $0.115−4.2%
    Jun 20, 2012Raise$0.115 → $0.120+4.3%
    Show all 22 changes since 2004
    Ex-dateChangeOld → newMove
    Dec 14, 2011Raise$0.110 → $0.115+4.5%
    Jun 16, 2010Cut$0.120 → $0.110−8.3%
    Jun 17, 2009Cut$0.140 → $0.120−14.3%
    Sep 19, 2007Raise$0.103 → $0.140+35.9%
    Mar 21, 2007Raise$0.100 → $0.103+3.0%
    Mar 24, 2006Cut$0.120 → $0.100−16.7%
    Jun 10, 2005Cut$0.150 → $0.120−20.0%
    Mar 4, 2005Raise$0.106 → $0.150+41.5%
    Jan 14, 2005Cut$0.220 → $0.106−51.8%
    Dec 3, 2004Raise$0.150 → $0.220+46.7%
    Every EMD payment →Download every raise and cut (CSV)
    EMD ex-dividend date & scheduleNext ex-date Nov 20, 2026 · full ex-dividend historyView →EMD dividend historyEvery payment, totals by year, raises and cutsView →EMD dividend calculator100 shares pay $114.00 a year, $9.50 each monthCalculate →EMD total return calculatorWhat $10,000 became, with dividends reinvested or taken as cashSee →

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is EMD a good dividend stock?

    Yes, with caveats. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (EMD) pays a monthly dividend yielding 12.14% ($1.14/yr), with 2 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of C. It's a solid income payer, but check the caveats below before buying.

    Is EMD undervalued?

    Based on a blend of discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings-multiple estimate, EMD's fair value is about $14.54 versus a $9.39 share price — so it looks undervalued (+55% vs. fair value).

    Is EMD's dividend safe?

    EMD has a dividend-safety grade of C (59/100), based on its payout coverage, free-cash-flow, 2-year growth streak, a dividend cut in 2023, debt and yield-versus-history.

    What is EMD's fair value?

    Our blended fair-value estimate for EMD is about $14.54 per share, roughly 55% above the current $9.39 price — combining a discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings multiple.

    Is EMD a buy, hold, or sell?

    We don't issue formal ratings, but on the data EMD screens as "yes, with caveats" and undervalued. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (EMD) pays a monthly dividend yielding 12.14% ($1.14/yr), with 2 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 EMD cut its dividend?

    EMD earns a dividend-safety grade of C (59/100), and has cut its dividend before (last in 2023). A higher score means lower cut risk based on payout coverage, cash flow and history — but no score guarantees a dividend.

    Does EMD pay a dividend?

    Yes. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. pays a monthly dividend of about $1.14 per share annually, a forward yield of roughly 12.14%.

    How much dividend does 100 shares of EMD pay?

    At $1.14 per share a year, 100 shares of EMD pay $114.00 a year in dividends before tax, about $9.50 each month. Buying them costs about $939 at the Nov 8, 2026 price.

    What is EMD's dividend yield?

    As of Nov 8, 2026, EMD's forward dividend yield is 12.14%, based on a $1.14 annual dividend and a $9.39 share price.

    What is EMD's dividend per share?

    As of Nov 8, 2026, EMD pays $1.14 per share per year, distributed on a monthly basis.

    What is EMD's dividend payout ratio?

    As of Nov 8, 2026, EMD's payout ratio is 73% of trailing 12-month earnings — a moderate level that's generally sustainable.

    How many years has EMD grown its dividend?

    As of Nov 8, 2026, EMD has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

    When is the next EMD ex-dividend date?

    As of Nov 8, 2026, the next ex-dividend date on record for EMD is Nov 20, 2026.

    Income Calculator

    At $1.14 / yr per share

    Per payment (monthly)$9.50
    Annual$114.00
    Monthly avg$9.50
    Full EMD dividend calculator →

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