Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. announced on July 23, 2026, that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on September 16, 2026, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 2, 2026. The announcement represents the company's regular capital return program to shareholders during the third quarter of 2026.
Key Points
- NASDAQ: ODFL
- Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share of common stock
- Dividend payable on September 16, 2026; record date is September 2, 2026
- Announcement filed as current report on July 23, 2026
Dividend Declaration and Payment Schedule
Old Dominion Freight Line disclosed that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share of common stock on July 23, 2026. The disclosure was made through a press release filed as a current report with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The dividend distribution follows the company's established practice of returning capital to shareholders on a quarterly basis. Shareholders of record at the close of business on September 2, 2026, will be eligible to receive the dividend payment.
The payment of the dividend is scheduled for September 16, 2026. This timeline provides a standard interval between the record date and the payment date, allowing time for the company to process dividend payments to all eligible shareholders. The announcement provides investors with clear visibility into the capital allocation decision and the expected timing of cash distribution to shareholders holding common stock of the company.
Shareholder Eligibility and Record Date
The record date of September 2, 2026, establishes the cutoff date for determining which shareholders are entitled to receive the dividend payment. Investors who own shares of Old Dominion Freight Line common stock as of the close of business on that date will be eligible for the $0.29 per share distribution. The record date serves as the official marker used by the company and its transfer agent to identify the shareholder population entitled to the dividend payment.
For investors considering a position in Old Dominion Freight Line stock, the record date represents an important deadline. Shareholders who purchase shares after the record date will not receive this particular quarterly dividend, as they will not be registered owners of record on the specified date. The two-week interval between the record date and payment date allows the company and its transfer agents sufficient time to process the dividend payments and distribute funds to all registered shareholders.
Dividend Amount and Quarterly Capital Returns
The Board of Directors established the quarterly dividend at $0.29 per share, representing the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders during the third quarter of 2026. This dividend amount reflects the board's assessment of the company's financial position, cash generation capabilities, and capital allocation priorities. The per-share amount applies to all outstanding shares of common stock held by eligible shareholders.
The declaration of a regular quarterly dividend demonstrates the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns through its dividend policy. Old Dominion Freight Line has established a pattern of quarterly dividend distributions as part of its capital allocation strategy. The $0.29 per share amount announced for this quarter provides shareholders with predictable income from their investment in the company's common stock.
Filing Details and Corporate Governance
The announcement was made through a Form 8-K filing submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 2026, which is the same date as the Board of Directors' declaration. The disclosure was signed by Clayton G. Brinker, Vice President – Accounting and Finance and Principal Accounting Officer of Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. This filing mechanism ensures that all investors and market participants receive timely notice of the dividend declaration and receive equal access to the information.
Old Dominion Freight Line maintains its principal executive offices at 500 Old Dominion Way, Thomasville, North Carolina 27360. The company is incorporated in Virginia and maintains its listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol ODFL. The formal filing of the dividend announcement through SEC channels ensures transparency and compliance with securities regulations governing public company disclosures.
Common Stock and Dividend Eligibility
The dividend applies to Old Dominion Freight Line's common stock, which carries a par value of $0.10 per share. The common stock is the primary equity security of the company traded on Nasdaq under ticker ODFL. All holders of common stock who are registered as shareholders of record on the established record date become eligible recipients of the quarterly dividend distribution.
The dividend payment represents a cash distribution to shareholders rather than a stock dividend or other form of return. Each share of common stock outstanding receives an equal dividend payment of $0.29, simplifying the calculation and ensuring uniform treatment of all common shareholders. The cash dividend format provides immediate liquidity to shareholders and does not affect the number of shares outstanding.
Timing and Investor Considerations
The approximately three-month interval between the record date (September 2, 2026) and the payment date (September 16, 2026) is typical for dividend distributions. This timeline allows the company sufficient opportunity to compile shareholder records, calculate total dividend payments, and coordinate with its transfer agent to process payments. The late September payment date positions the dividend distribution in Old Dominion Freight Line's third quarter dividend cycle.
Investors holding shares in taxable accounts should note that dividend income is generally subject to federal taxation. The specific tax treatment of the dividend depends on the investor's individual circumstances, holding period, and tax jurisdiction. Investors are advised to consult with their tax advisors regarding the tax implications of dividend income from Old Dominion Freight Line common stock.
Board Authorization and Capital Allocation Policy
The dividend declaration by the Board of Directors reflects the company's established capital allocation framework. The board maintains authority to declare dividends on a quarterly basis, subject to the company's financial condition, operating results, and strategic priorities. The board's decision to maintain the $0.29 per share dividend level signals confidence in the company's ability to generate sufficient cash flow to support ongoing shareholder distributions.
The quarterly dividend program represents one component of Old Dominion Freight Line's overall capital allocation strategy. The company balances dividend distributions with other uses of capital, including investments in operations, equipment, technology infrastructure, and debt management. The board periodically reviews the dividend level to ensure alignment with the company's financial performance and shareholder return objectives.
Market Registration and Trading Information
Old Dominion Freight Line's common stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the ticker symbol ODFL. The company maintains Securities and Exchange Commission registration with Commission File Number 0-19582 and operates under IRS Employer Identification Number 56-0751714. The registration status requires the company to file periodic reports and current reports with the SEC, including disclosure of material corporate actions such as dividend declarations.
The broad distribution of the company's securities through Nasdaq trading ensures that market participants have access to current pricing information and liquidity for trading Old Dominion Freight Line shares. The dividend announcement, filed as a current report on the same day as the board declaration, provides timely notice to all investors regarding the capital distribution decision.
Exhibit Documentation and Press Release
The complete details of the dividend declaration are contained in the press release dated July 23, 2026, which was filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the current report. The press release provides shareholders and investors with the official announcement of the board's decision regarding the quarterly dividend. This documentation serves as the authoritative source for all announced terms, dates, and amounts related to the dividend distribution.
The filing also includes Cover Page Interactive Data in XBRL format, which facilitates electronic access to the disclosure information through the SEC's EDGAR database. This structured data format allows investors and financial data aggregators to retrieve and analyze the key information from the filing in machine-readable form. The availability of both traditional narrative disclosure and structured data enhances accessibility of the dividend announcement to diverse investor constituencies.



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