Stepan (SCL) Dividend Capture: 0.79% per event (3.0% annualized)
SCL
Stepan (SCL) has touched its pre-ex close within 30 trading days in 90% of the last 20 ex-dividend events, with a median time-to-touch of 1 trading day (limit-order recovery basis). The dividend is below the typical daily price swing (signal-to-noise 0.18), meaning ordinary day-to-day noise can easily exceed the dividend itself.
Versus its sector, SCL sits roughly in line with the Basic Materials sector benchmark of 95%. The sector median time-to-touch is 1 trading day, matching the peer pace.
Historical base rates are not predictions; transaction costs, slippage, and ordinary-income tax on short holding periods can materially reduce realized profit. The next confirmed ex-dividend date is Jun 1, 2026, with an expected dividend of $0.40.
- Touch rate (30d)
- 90%-5pp vs sector
- Median days-to-touch
- 1din line with sector
- Signal-to-noise
- 0.18in line with sector
Recovery engine
TL;DR over the most recent 20 events.
- 30-day touch rate
- 90%-5pp vs sector
- Median days-to-touch
- 1din line with sector
- Signal-to-noise (div / ATR)
- 0.18in line with sector
- Avg gap on ex-date
- -0.19%+0.20pp vs sector
- Win rate at MOC exit
- 40%
- Median drawdown during hold
- -4.54%in line with sector
- Best / worst touch (days)
- 1 / 13
Next ex-dividend
Confirmed by company declaration.
- Dividend
- $0.40
- Per-event yield
- 0.79%
- Annualized yield
- 3.01%
- Previously paid
- Mar 2, 2026 ($0.40)
- Last record date
- Mar 2, 2026
- Last payment date
- Mar 13, 2026
How SCL ranks in Basic Materials
Compared with other stocks in this sector that pass our capture-quality filter (28 tickers). Lower rank number is better on every metric below.
- 30-day touch rate#17of 28
Beats ~39% of peers on this metric
- Median days to touch#1of 28
Beats ~96% of peers on this metric
- Signal-to-noise#16of 28
Beats ~43% of peers on this metric
SCL Dividend Capture History — Last 20 Ex-Dividend Events
Per-event gap on ex-date, the pre-ex close used as the touch target, trading days to first intraday high at or above that level, plus 5/30-day touch flags, drawdown and 5-day P&L for Stepan (SCL). For a stricter close-at-bell exit timeline, use the simulator below (MOC mode). td = trading days from ex-date.
| Recovered 5d | Recovered 30d | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | $0.40 | -2.53% | $50.89 | 1 | yes | yes | -9.67% | -4.94% | |
| Q4 | $0.40 | -0.22% | $45.41 | 1 | yes | yes | -2.18% | +0.32% | |
| Q3 | $0.39 | -0.10% | $50.25 | 1 | yes | yes | -4.94% | +0.33% | |
| Q2 | $0.39 | -0.97% | $55.51 | 7 | no | yes | -4.76% | -0.68% | |
| Q1 | $0.39 | -0.06% | $61.76 | >30 | no | no | -8.52% | -5.58% | |
| Q4 | $0.39 | -0.22% | $76.09 | 1 | yes | yes | -3.13% | -1.04% | |
| Q3 | $0.38 | -0.71% | $78.49 | 13 | no | yes | -11.10% | -8.31% | |
| Q2 | $0.38 | 0.06% | $84.66 | 1 | yes | yes | -2.76% | -0.15% | |
| Q1 | $0.38 | 0.62% | $88.75 | 1 | yes | yes | -3.03% | -0.52% | |
| Q4 | $0.38 | 0.35% | $82.28 | 1 | yes | yes | -0.27% | +4.64% | |
| Q3 | $0.36 | -0.72% | $87.49 | 1 | yes | yes | -12.02% | -9.17% | |
| Q2 | $0.36 | -0.25% | $93.64 | 1 | yes | yes | -3.65% | +4.68% | |
| Q1 | $0.36 | -1.04% | $103.89 | 1 | yes | yes | -8.85% | -4.74% | |
| Q4 | $0.36 | -0.33% | $108.47 | 1 | yes | yes | -1.78% | +2.36% | |
| Q3 | $0.34 | -0.76% | $107.07 | >30 | no | no | -8.43% | -4.50% | |
| Q2 | $0.34 | 0.91% | $109.84 | 1 | yes | yes | -4.33% | +2.51% | |
| Q1 | $0.34 | 0.61% | $104.12 | 1 | yes | yes | -8.01% | -5.57% | |
| Q4 | $0.34 | 0.74% | $118.29 | 1 | yes | yes | -5.21% | +3.39% | |
| Q3 | $0.30 | 0.05% | $117.15 | 1 | yes | yes | -2.77% | -0.73% | |
| Q2 | $0.30 | 0.82% | $134.40 | 1 | yes | yes | -2.74% | +0.04% |
Q1
- Dividend
- $0.40
- Gap %
- -2.53%
- Pre-ex close
- $50.89
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -9.67%
- P&L 5d %
- -4.94%
Q4
- Dividend
- $0.40
- Gap %
- -0.22%
- Pre-ex close
- $45.41
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -2.18%
- P&L 5d %
- +0.32%
Q3
- Dividend
- $0.39
- Gap %
- -0.10%
- Pre-ex close
- $50.25
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -4.94%
- P&L 5d %
- +0.33%
Q2
- Dividend
- $0.39
- Gap %
- -0.97%
- Pre-ex close
- $55.51
- High touch (td)
- 7
- Recovered 5d
- no
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -4.76%
- P&L 5d %
- -0.68%
Q1
- Dividend
- $0.39
- Gap %
- -0.06%
- Pre-ex close
- $61.76
- High touch (td)
- >30
- Recovered 5d
- no
- Recovered 30d
- no
- Drawdown
- -8.52%
- P&L 5d %
- -5.58%
Q4
- Dividend
- $0.39
- Gap %
- -0.22%
- Pre-ex close
- $76.09
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -3.13%
- P&L 5d %
- -1.04%
Q3
- Dividend
- $0.38
- Gap %
- -0.71%
- Pre-ex close
- $78.49
- High touch (td)
- 13
- Recovered 5d
- no
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -11.10%
- P&L 5d %
- -8.31%
Q2
- Dividend
- $0.38
- Gap %
- 0.06%
- Pre-ex close
- $84.66
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -2.76%
- P&L 5d %
- -0.15%
Q1
- Dividend
- $0.38
- Gap %
- 0.62%
- Pre-ex close
- $88.75
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -3.03%
- P&L 5d %
- -0.52%
Q4
- Dividend
- $0.38
- Gap %
- 0.35%
- Pre-ex close
- $82.28
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -0.27%
- P&L 5d %
- +4.64%
Q3
- Dividend
- $0.36
- Gap %
- -0.72%
- Pre-ex close
- $87.49
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -12.02%
- P&L 5d %
- -9.17%
Q2
- Dividend
- $0.36
- Gap %
- -0.25%
- Pre-ex close
- $93.64
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -3.65%
- P&L 5d %
- +4.68%
Q1
- Dividend
- $0.36
- Gap %
- -1.04%
- Pre-ex close
- $103.89
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -8.85%
- P&L 5d %
- -4.74%
Q4
- Dividend
- $0.36
- Gap %
- -0.33%
- Pre-ex close
- $108.47
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -1.78%
- P&L 5d %
- +2.36%
Q3
- Dividend
- $0.34
- Gap %
- -0.76%
- Pre-ex close
- $107.07
- High touch (td)
- >30
- Recovered 5d
- no
- Recovered 30d
- no
- Drawdown
- -8.43%
- P&L 5d %
- -4.50%
Q2
- Dividend
- $0.34
- Gap %
- 0.91%
- Pre-ex close
- $109.84
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -4.33%
- P&L 5d %
- +2.51%
Q1
- Dividend
- $0.34
- Gap %
- 0.61%
- Pre-ex close
- $104.12
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -8.01%
- P&L 5d %
- -5.57%
Q4
- Dividend
- $0.34
- Gap %
- 0.74%
- Pre-ex close
- $118.29
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -5.21%
- P&L 5d %
- +3.39%
Q3
- Dividend
- $0.30
- Gap %
- 0.05%
- Pre-ex close
- $117.15
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -2.77%
- P&L 5d %
- -0.73%
Q2
- Dividend
- $0.30
- Gap %
- 0.82%
- Pre-ex close
- $134.40
- High touch (td)
- 1
- Recovered 5d
- yes
- Recovered 30d
- yes
- Drawdown
- -2.74%
- P&L 5d %
- +0.04%
SCL Pre-Ex Touch Time Distribution
- ≤ 1 day1680%
- 2–3 days00%
- 4–5 days00%
- 6–10 days15%
- 11–30 days15%
- 30+210%
80% within 1d · 80% within 5d · 90% within 30d
SCL Dividend Capture Calculator — After-Tax Yield
Pre-filled with SCL's next expected dividend and recent close. Adjust tax rate, holding period and slippage to estimate after-tax capture yield.
Holding shorter than the IRS 61-day rule disqualifies the dividend from “qualified” status — it is taxed as ordinary income at your marginal rate. Adjust Tax % accordingly.
- Gross dividend
- $80.00
- After-tax dividend
- $52.00
- Slippage round-trip
- -$10.18
- Net if price returns to pre-ex
- +$41.82
- Required recovery to break even
- 0.00%
- Per-event after-tax yield
- +0.41%
- Annual if all succeed
- ~20.7%
SCL Dividend Capture Backtest Simulator
Replay every historical SCL ex-dividend with two exit strategies: a GTC limit-order at the pre-ex close (limit-order P&L on first intraday touch), or hold for N days and exit at MOC. Pick the window and quarter filter that matches your plan and see realized P&L per event.
Sell back at the pre-ex close on the first intraday touch within the window. If it never touches, exit at MOC after the window expires (stop-loss).
Figures are gross — before tax, commissions, and slippage. Percents are per-event return on capital at entry (pre-ex close).
Cumulative P&L (equity curve)
Vertical axis: cumulative sum of per-event % (same units as the headline cumulative). Hover dots for exact values.
Per-event P&L distribution
20 trades in this sample · bar height ∝ count in each bucket (gross % per event).
Scenario P&L by event · SCL (20)
Scenario P&L — updates with exit mode, window, and quarter. History adds gap, touch, drawdown, and a fixed P&L 5d % (MOC). Same per-row % as that column only for MOC + 5d on the same rows. Oldest → newest, gross pre-ex close basis.
| Ex-date | P&L |
|---|---|
| +0.23% | |
| +0.26% | |
| +0.28% | |
| +0.32% | |
| +0.30% | |
| -4.50% | |
| +0.34% | |
| +0.35% | |
| +0.39% | |
| +0.42% | |
| +0.46% | |
| +0.42% | |
| +0.44% | |
| -8.31% | |
| +0.51% | |
| -5.58% | |
| -0.68% | |
| +0.77% | |
| +0.87% | |
| +0.78% |
Looking for full price seasonality? See SCL seasonality →
Frequently asked questions
What is the dividend capture success rate for SCL?
Across the last 20 ex-dividend events for Stepan (SCL), the post-ex intraday high reached the pre-ex close within 30 trading days in 90% of cases, with a median time-to-touch of 1 trading day. We measure recovery via intraday high because that is when a GTC limit-order at the pre-ex close would actually fill, ending the trade at break-even with the dividend pocketed.
How long does it take SCL to recover its dividend gap?
Historically, SCL touches its pre-ex close in a median of 1 trading day, with the best case at 1 and the worst case at 13 trading days within our 30-day measurement window. A stricter close-based recovery (mark-to-MOC) is also computed in the database; explore it with the per-ticker simulator’s “Hold N days, exit MOC” mode rather than in the event table.
Is the dividend on SCL large enough to capture?
SCL has a signal-to-noise ratio of 0.18 (dividend / 14-day ATR). Values above 1.0 indicate the dividend is larger than the typical daily price swing, making capture trades more viable; below 0.5 means typical daily noise can easily wipe out the gain.
When is the next ex-dividend date for SCL?
The next ex-dividend date for Stepan (SCL) is Jun 1, 2026, confirmed (declared by the company).
How does SCL compare to its sector for dividend capture?
Within Basic Materials, the median 30-day pre-ex touch rate is 95%. SCL sits at 90% — at or below the sector benchmark.
Why does SCL dividend capture measure recovery via intraday high, not close?
A realistic capture trade exits via a GTC limit-order at the pre-ex close: the moment the post-ex intraday high touches that level, the order fills and the trader pockets the dividend at break-even. Measuring recovery via close is stricter (mark-to-MOC); we expose that path in the per-ticker simulator as the "Hold N days, exit MOC" mode. The high-based primary metric directly answers the trader-facing question "would my limit have filled?" — close-based answers "would I have been flat at the bell?".
How are dividend capture trades taxed in the US?
Holding period matters. Dividends are "qualified" (taxed at the long-term capital gains rate, 0/15/20%) only when the underlying shares are held for more than 60 days during the 121-day window centered on the ex-dividend date. Dividend capture trades typically hold less than 61 days, so the dividend is taxed at your ordinary income bracket. Always consult a qualified tax advisor.
What are the main risks of a dividend capture strategy?
Three structural risks: (1) the share price may not recover the gap within your holding window; (2) ordinary-income tax can consume the after-tax yield; (3) transaction costs and bid/ask slippage can wipe out small dividends. Historical statistics measure base rates; they do not guarantee any single trade will work.