Dividend Update and Key News on Johnson Outdoors Ahead of Ex-Dividend Date on Oct 10, 2025

Johnson Outdoors (JOUT) has announced another cash dividend of $0.33 per share, marking the second such payment in the last three months and aligning with its recent $0.33 per share payout on Jul 24, 2025. This upcoming dividend will be distributed on Oct 24, 2025, with an ex-dividend date set for Oct 10, 2025. Investors who wish to receive this dividend must purchase the stock before that date. The latest payout is significantly higher than the 10-year average of $0.17056 per share, indicating a clear upward trend in the company’s dividend distribution. This continued commitment to increasing shareholder returns has been a hallmark of Johnson Outdoors since 2015, during which the annual dividend has grown from $0.30 to $1.32, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 16%.

Recent developments have brought mixed signals for investors. On Oct 3, 2025, Johnson Outdoors closed at $41.76, up 0.92% from the previous session, with a high of $42.64 for the day. This comes amid a Zacks Research downgrade of the stock to a "strong sell" from a previous "hold" rating, citing growing concerns about the sustainability of future dividend payments. Analysts have highlighted that while the company’s current dividend yield of 3.2% is in line with the industry average, the payout ratio is expected to rise sharply over the next year as earnings per share (EPS) are projected to increase by 117.3%. However, this rapid growth in EPS is largely forecasted, and the company has experienced a 53% decline in EPS over the past five years, raising questions about the long-term viability of its dividend strategy.

Over the past week, market attention has focused on the company’s financial projections and recent performance. Despite generating strong free cash flows that currently cover the dividend, concerns persist regarding the balance sheet’s ability to sustain such payouts if earnings growth stalls. Recent reports indicate that the company has a solid historical track record of dividend growth, but the recent earnings trends and analyst downgrades have sparked caution among investors. Additionally, the stock is projected to see a 32.19% rise over the next three months, with a 90% probability of trading between $53.50 and an upper bound. However, this optimism is tempered by the risk of potential dividend cuts if the company faces financial headwinds.

The ex-dividend date of Oct 10, 2025, is the final opportunity for investors to purchase Johnson Outdoors stock and qualify for the $0.33 per share dividend scheduled for Oct 24, 2025. Any shares bought on or after Oct 10 will not be eligible for this payout. Given the recent market volatility and analyst concerns, investors should carefully weigh the company’s financial outlook and risk tolerance before making investment decisions.