There is something quietly compelling about a stock that simply pays you for owning it. While most equity investing relies on selling shares at a higher price than you paid – capital appreciation that may take years to materialise – dividend-paying stocks send cash to your bank account every few months, just for holding them. For investors who want their portfolio to throw off income alongside growth, the top 10 highest dividend paying stocks in India in 2026 are worth understanding deeply.
But “highest dividend yield” is a more nuanced metric than it looks. A 10% yield on a stock that fell 50% last year is not impressive – it is a warning. A 4% yield on a company that has paid dividends uninterrupted for 30 years is more valuable than an 8% yield from a business in structural decline. The number itself tells you nothing about whether the dividend is sustainable, whether the underlying business is healthy, or whether you should actually own the stock.
This guide unpacks the 10 highest dividend paying stocks in India as of May 2026, but more importantly, it tells you how to evaluate any high-yield stock you encounter. We cover what each company does, how it generates the cash flow to pay dividends, the long-term payout history, sector-specific risks, the 2026 tax framework on dividend income, and a checklist you can apply to any dividend stock before adding it to your portfolio.
Nothing in this article is a recommendation to buy or sell any specific stock. Dividend yields change daily with share prices. Past dividends do not guarantee future payouts. This is an educational framework, not investment advice. Please consult a SEBI-registered investment adviser before making any investment decisions.
What dividend yield actually means – and what it does not
Dividend yield is a simple ratio. It is the annual dividend per share divided by the current share price, expressed as a percentage. If a company pays Rs. 10 per share in annual dividends and the stock trades at Rs. 200, the dividend yield is 5%. Easy math, deceptive simplicity.
Why the yield number alone misleads
The yield is a fraction with two moving parts. When the share price falls, the yield mechanically rises – even though nothing about the company’s actual dividend ability has improved. In fact, in many cases the falling share price reflects deteriorating business prospects, which often precedes a dividend cut. This is what experienced investors call a “yield trap” – a stock that looks high-yielding precisely because the market has lost confidence in it.
What to look at beyond the headline yield
| Metric | What It Means | Healthy Range | Warning Sign | How to Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | Annual dividend per share / current price | 3-7% | >10% (often a yield trap) | Screener.in, NSE site |
| Payout Ratio | Dividend per share / EPS | 40-65% | >100% (unsustainable) | Annual report |
| Cash flow coverage | Dividends paid / operating cash flow | <60% | >80% (cash strain) | Cash flow statement |
| Years of paying dividends | Continuity through downturns | 10+ years uninterrupted | Recent payout cuts | Company history page |
| Debt-to-equity ratio | How leveraged the company is | <0.5 (lower the better) | >2.0 | Annual report |
| ROE | Return on equity | 15%+ sustained | Single-digit ROE | Annual report |
The dividend yield is the question, not the answer. The answer comes from looking at the payout ratio, cash flow coverage, dividend continuity over multiple market cycles, and the underlying business model. A 5% yield from a financially sound company can be more valuable than an 8% yield from a struggling one.
The top 10 highest dividend paying stocks in India for 2026
Here are the 10 highest dividend yielding stocks in India as of May 2026, based on publicly disclosed dividend history and NSE-listed prices. Yields are indicative and will change daily as share prices fluctuate. All companies on this list are large-cap, NSE-listed, and have paid dividends consistently across multiple years.
| Rank | Company | Sector | Indicative Yield* | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vedanta Ltd | Metals & Mining | ~6.0-6.4% | Aggressive multi-payout dividend policy |
| 2 | Coal India Ltd | Mining (PSU) | ~6.0-6.3% | World’s largest coal producer, AAA-rated |
| 3 | Hindustan Zinc Ltd | Zinc / Lead / Silver | ~5.5-6.0% | Vedanta subsidiary, low-cost producer |
| 4 | ONGC Ltd | Oil & Gas (PSU) | ~5.0-5.3% | Largest oil and gas explorer in India |
| 5 | REC Ltd | Power Sector NBFC (PSU) | ~4.5-5.0% | Lends to state power utilities |
| 6 | NMDC Ltd | Iron Ore Mining (PSU) | ~4.5-5.0% | Largest iron ore producer in India |
| 7 | Power Finance Corp | Power Sector NBFC (PSU) | ~4.4-4.7% | Parent entity of REC, similar profile |
| 8 | ITC Ltd | FMCG / Cigarettes | ~3.3-3.7% | Stable cash cow with steady payouts |
| 9 | Power Grid Corp | Power Transmission (PSU) | ~3.4-3.8% | Regulated utility with predictable cash flows |
| 10 | Castrol India Ltd | Lubricants | ~6.5-7.0% | Cash-generative MNC subsidiary |
*Yields are indicative trailing 12-month figures based on the most recently declared dividends and recent share prices. They will shift continuously with market movements. Always check the live yield on NSE or your broker’s research page before any investment decision.
Detailed profile of each company
1. Vedanta Ltd – aggressive dividend policy in metals & mining
Vedanta is one of India’s largest diversified natural resources companies, with exposure to zinc, lead, silver, aluminium, copper, iron ore and oil & gas. The company is known for an unusually aggressive dividend policy – distributing multiple interim dividends across the financial year, sometimes four or five payouts. This policy stems partly from the parent Vedanta Resources’ debt servicing needs, but for shareholders, it has meant a steady stream of cash.
Sector: Diversified metals & mining
Indicative dividend yield: ~6.0-6.4% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: Commodity cycle exposure, parent company debt position, dividend sustainability if metal prices decline
2. Coal India Ltd – PSU stalwart with consistent payouts
Coal India Ltd, a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Coal, is the world’s largest coal producer. The business has structural durability – over 80% of India’s coal demand is met by Coal India, and the company runs a virtual monopoly in domestic thermal coal. Strong operating cash flows have funded a steady record of dividends over the past decade, with the government (the majority shareholder) being a beneficiary.
Sector: Coal mining (PSU)
Indicative dividend yield: ~6.0-6.3% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: Energy transition risk (renewables share), government dividend extraction pressure, royalty rate changes
3. Hindustan Zinc Ltd – Vedanta subsidiary, structurally low cost
Hindustan Zinc is a Vedanta subsidiary and one of the world’s largest integrated zinc producers. The company sits at the low end of the global zinc cost curve, which means it stays profitable even in weak commodity price environments. This structural cost advantage has translated into consistent dividend payouts, with the government still holding nearly 30% as a minority stakeholder.
Sector: Zinc, lead and silver mining
Indicative dividend yield: ~5.5-6.0% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: Zinc, lead and silver price volatility; Vedanta parent’s pressure for special dividends
4. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) – India’s upstream giant
ONGC is India’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company. As a Maharatna PSU, it has paid dividends consistently for decades, supported by strong cash flows from hydrocarbon extraction. The company’s dividend record was strengthened in recent years by global crude oil price strength. The flip side: as a commodity producer, ONGC’s earnings – and dividend capacity – are sensitive to oil price cycles.
Sector: Oil and gas exploration (PSU)
Indicative dividend yield: ~5.0-5.3% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: Crude oil price cycles, KG basin output ramp-up, energy transition timeline, government’s fiscal needs from PSUs
5. REC Ltd – PSU NBFC lending to the power sector
REC Ltd is a specialised non-banking financial company that lends to power generation, transmission and distribution utilities across India. As the government’s primary financing vehicle for the power sector, REC enjoys a strong AAA credit rating and a large, predictable loan book. The dividend payouts have been consistent, supported by net interest margin spreads that have held up even in a rising-rate environment.
Sector: Power sector NBFC (PSU)
Indicative dividend yield: ~4.5-5.0% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: Asset quality in state power utility loans, interest rate environment, capital adequacy ratio trends
6. NMDC Ltd – India’s largest iron ore producer
NMDC is a Maharatna PSU and India’s largest iron ore producer by volume. The company supplies a substantial portion of domestic iron ore demand, with most output going to large Indian steel producers. The dividend track record has been consistent, supported by strong operating margins when iron ore prices are firm. As a commodity producer, NMDC’s earnings cycle – and dividend – moves with iron ore prices and Chinese steel demand.
Sector: Iron ore mining (PSU)
Indicative dividend yield: ~4.5-5.0% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: Iron ore prices, royalty rate changes by state governments, production expansion plans
7. Power Finance Corporation – REC’s parent, similar profile
Power Finance Corporation (PFC) is REC’s holding parent, and itself operates as a major NBFC lending to the power sector. Structurally similar to REC – large stable loan book, AAA-rated, government majority shareholder – PFC has maintained dividend payouts that closely track REC’s profile. Many investors hold both for diversification within the same sector theme.
Sector: Power sector NBFC (PSU)
Indicative dividend yield: ~4.4-4.7% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: Subsidiary REC’s earnings (which flow up), power sector reforms, state utility credit health
8. ITC Ltd – the FMCG cash cow
ITC is structurally different from the commodity and PSU-heavy rest of this list. The company is an FMCG and cigarettes conglomerate with strong free cash flow generation, very low debt and a long history of paying dividends through every market cycle – including 2020, when commodity peers saw payout disruptions. ITC’s dividend yield is lower than the metals stocks but the quality is materially higher: cash flows are stable, the business is defensive, and the payout history is uninterrupted.
Sector: FMCG, cigarettes, hotels, paperboards
Indicative dividend yield: ~3.3-3.7% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: Cigarette taxation policy, FMCG growth trajectory, hotel division performance, capital allocation discipline
9. Power Grid Corporation – regulated utility, predictable cash flow
Power Grid Corporation operates India’s interstate electricity transmission network. The business is a regulated utility, meaning its returns are governed by a tariff framework that gives the company stable, predictable cash flows. This regulated structure makes Power Grid one of the most defensive dividend stocks on this list – the cash flow stream barely flinches even during economic downturns or commodity price shocks. Yield is lower than commodity stocks but dividend quality is among the highest.
Sector: Electricity transmission (PSU)
Indicative dividend yield: ~3.4-3.8% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: Tariff regulation changes, capex pipeline for renewables integration, state utility receivables
10. Castrol India Ltd – cash-generative MNC subsidiary
Castrol India is the Indian subsidiary of UK-based Castrol, focused on industrial and automotive lubricants. The business runs on high asset turnover, low capex needs and consistent cash generation – which has translated into reliable dividends for over a decade. The lubricants industry is mature and growth is modest, but Castrol’s market position and brand value support an attractive payout-to-shareholders ratio. The high yield partly reflects modest growth prospects of the underlying business.
Sector: Lubricants (MNC subsidiary)
Indicative dividend yield: ~6.5-7.0% (trailing 12 months)
What to watch: EV transition impact on lubricant demand long-term, raw material (base oil) price volatility, parent BP capital allocation policy
How dividends are paid – the practical mechanics
Knowing which companies pay dividends is half the picture. The other half is understanding the process – because there are specific dates that determine whether you actually receive a dividend, and how it lands in your bank account.
The four critical dates
- Announcement date: Company’s board declares a dividend amount and an ex-dividend date. This is typically alongside quarterly results.
- Record date: The date by which you must be a registered shareholder to receive the dividend. Set by the company.
- Ex-dividend date: Usually one trading day before the record date. To receive the dividend, you must buy the stock before this date – typically meaning at least one full trading day before record date.
- Payment date: The date the dividend actually credits to your registered bank account. Usually 7-30 days after the record date.
How the money reaches you
Once you are recorded as a shareholder on the record date, the dividend is automatically credited to the bank account linked to your demat account. No action is needed from you. The credit usually shows up as a direct credit from the company’s registrar (CAMS, Link Intime, KFintech) with the company name and dividend reference.
How dividend income is taxed in India in 2026
This is where many investors get tripped up. The tax framework for dividends changed materially in 2020 and has been refined since. Here is the current FY 2025-26 framework:
| Scenario | Tax Treatment (FY 2025-26 onwards) |
| Resident individual – dividends under Rs. 10,000 per company per year | No TDS deducted; full amount credited. You still pay tax at slab rate when filing ITR. |
| Resident individual – dividends over Rs. 10,000 per company per year | Company deducts 10% TDS at source. You file ITR and pay difference if slab rate is higher. |
| Investor in 30% slab | Effective tax = 30% + applicable surcharge and cess. TDS of 10% is credited. |
| Senior citizen (60+) with limited income | Can submit Form 15H to request no TDS deduction if total income is below taxable limit. |
| Non-Resident Indian (NRI) | TDS deducted at 20% + surcharge + cess. Reduced rate may apply under DTAA with country of residence. |
| No PAN on record | TDS deducted at 20% under Section 206AA – higher rate. |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Reinvested dividend is treated as fresh dividend income – taxed in the year received. |
The most important point most investors miss
Dividend income is taxed at your slab rate, not at a flat rate. If you are in the 30% tax bracket, your effective tax on dividend income is 30% (plus surcharge and cess – so roughly 31-39% in total). This means a 7% pre-tax dividend yield translates to roughly 4.3-4.8% post-tax for a high-income investor. Before the 2020 abolition of Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT), dividends were tax-free in your hands; that is no longer the case.
TDS at 10% above Rs. 10,000 per company per year
Effective April 1, 2025, companies deduct 10% TDS on dividends if the total dividend from one company to one shareholder exceeds Rs. 10,000 per financial year. Earlier, this threshold was Rs. 5,000. The TDS is creditable against your final tax liability when you file your ITR. If you have no PAN on record, TDS is deducted at 20% under Section 206AA – so always ensure your PAN is registered with each company you hold shares in.
If you hold dividend stocks worth Rs. 10 lakh paying 6% yield, that is Rs. 60,000 of dividend income. At 30% slab plus surcharge, you keep roughly Rs. 42,000 net. Always think of dividend yields on a post-tax basis when comparing to fixed deposits or other income instruments.
High dividend stocks vs fixed deposits – the honest comparison
Many investors view high-dividend stocks as an alternative to bank fixed deposits for generating regular income. That framing is partly right but misses important differences. Here is the side-by-side:
| Aspect | High Dividend Stocks | Bank Fixed Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Typical yield (pre-tax) | 3-7% (varies daily with stock price) | 6.5-7.5% (locked in for tenure) |
| Income predictability | Less predictable – depends on board decisions | Fixed – contractually guaranteed |
| Capital appreciation | Possible upside if stock price rises | None – principal stays flat |
| Capital risk | Real – share price can fall meaningfully | None for amounts under DICGC limit (Rs. 5 lakh) |
| Taxation | Slab rate; plus capital gains if sold | Slab rate on interest income |
| Liquidity | T+1 settlement on sale | Premature withdrawal penalty |
| Inflation hedge | Stocks tend to grow with inflation over decades | Fixed rate – vulnerable to inflation |
| Time horizon needed | 5+ years recommended | Any tenure |
| Suitable for | Long-term income with growth potential | Capital preservation, short-term needs |
Two key takeaways from this comparison:
- Fixed deposits offer certainty; dividend stocks offer potential. If you cannot tolerate the share price falling 20-40% in any year, dividend stocks are not a fixed-deposit replacement. The yield is partly compensation for that capital risk.
- Over a 10+ year horizon, dividend stocks usually beat FDs after taxes. Capital appreciation combined with dividend income tends to compound past pure interest income, even after accounting for taxes. The trade-off is volatility you have to live with.
How to evaluate any high dividend stock before investing
The 10 stocks profiled above are starting points for research, not a portfolio. Before investing in any high-yield stock – including ones on this list – run this 8-point evaluation checklist. None of these are sophisticated; all are findable in publicly available documents.
| What to Verify | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Last 5 years of dividend history | A single-year high yield can be a one-off. Look for consistency. |
| Dividend continuity through 2020 and 2022 | Stocks that kept paying through COVID and rate-hike cycles signal real cash strength. |
| Payout ratio of 40-65% | Below 40% means the company is conservative; above 65-70% may be unsustainable. |
| Operating cash flow vs dividend paid | Dividends should be funded by operations, not by borrowing or asset sales. |
| Debt levels and credit rating | Highly leveraged companies often cut dividends first in a downturn. |
| Promoter / government shareholding | PSU dividends often serve government fiscal needs – that can be stable or volatile. |
| Cyclicality of the business | Mining, oil and metals are commodity-linked – high yields can drop sharply in downcycles. |
| Tax slab impact on your post-tax yield | A 7% pre-tax yield in 30% slab is roughly 4.9% post-tax, before STCG / LTCG on price. |
The yield trap warning signs
A stock showing an unusually high yield (say, 12%+) is rarely a gift – it is usually a warning. Specific red flags that suggest a yield trap:
- Share price has fallen 30-50%+ in the last 12 months
- Payout ratio above 90% of earnings
- Operating cash flow does not cover dividends paid
- Credit rating downgrade or rising debt
- Promoter holdings being reduced or pledged
- Cyclical commodity business at the peak of a cycle
- Recent dividend declaration funded by debt or asset sales
If two or more of these red flags apply to a high-yielding stock, the dividend is likely unsustainable – and the share price may continue falling. The yield may look attractive on the screen, but the math rarely works out in real returns.
Pros and cons of investing in high dividend paying stocks
Pros
- Regular income stream alongside capital appreciation potential
- Companies that pay sustainable dividends tend to be financially disciplined
- Historical evidence suggests high-yield stocks have outperformed bonds over long horizons
- Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) compounds aggressively over 10+ years
- Tend to be less volatile than pure growth stocks during corrections
- PSU dividend stocks benefit from government backing and stable cash flows
- Can hedge against inflation if dividends grow with earnings over time
Cons
- Dividends are taxed at your full slab rate – not tax-efficient for high earners
- Many high-yield sectors are mature and cyclical (commodities, PSUs)
- Dividends can be cut without warning – especially in cyclical businesses
- Stock price can fall meaningfully even if dividend is maintained
- Yield traps catch retail investors with optically high but unsustainable yields
- Concentration in PSUs creates government-policy risk in your portfolio
- Capital gains tax applies separately when you sell – dividend yield is only one component of total return
2026 updates affecting dividend stock investors
- Higher TDS threshold (Rs. 10,000): Effective April 1, 2025, TDS on dividends only applies above Rs. 10,000 per company per year (raised from Rs. 5,000). Smaller dividend recipients see less TDS friction.
- Removal of 20% interest deduction: The 20% deduction on interest paid against borrowed funds used to buy dividend stocks is being phased out from FY 2026-27. This affects margin-funded dividend stock strategies.
- Stricter ITR reporting: AY 2026-27 ITR forms now require quarter-wise dividend disclosure to match with TDS entries in Form 26AS and AIS. Mismatches trigger notices.
- RBI and PSU dividend pressure: The government’s record Rs. 3.2+ lakh crore dividend expectation from RBI and PSU banks for FY 2026-27 signals continued strong PSU payout policy in the near term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are the top 10 highest dividend paying stocks in India in 2026?
Based on trailing 12-month dividend yields as of May 2026, the highest-yielding large-cap stocks in India include Vedanta, Coal India, Hindustan Zinc, ONGC, REC, NMDC, Power Finance Corporation, ITC, Power Grid Corporation and Castrol India. Yields range from approximately 3.3% to 7.0%, and will continue to fluctuate as share prices move. Always verify the live yield before investing.
Q2. How is dividend income from these stocks taxed in 2026?
Dividend income from Indian stocks is taxed at the investor’s applicable income tax slab rate – so a 30% slab investor effectively pays around 30% (plus surcharge and cess) on dividend income. From April 1, 2025, companies deduct 10% TDS on dividends exceeding Rs. 10,000 per company per year (raised from Rs. 5,000). The TDS is creditable against your final tax liability when you file your ITR.
Q3. Is a high dividend yield always a good thing?
No. A very high yield (say, 12%+) is often a warning sign rather than an opportunity. It usually means the share price has fallen sharply because of business problems – which often precede a dividend cut. Look at the payout ratio (40-65% is healthy), the company’s cash flow coverage, dividend continuity over 10+ years, and debt levels before concluding that a high yield is sustainable.
Q4. Which sector dominates the highest dividend paying stocks list in India?
PSU stocks and commodity producers dominate India’s highest dividend yielding list. The reason: these companies tend to be in mature industries with stable cash flows and limited reinvestment opportunities, so they return more cash to shareholders. Coal India, ONGC, NMDC, REC, Power Finance Corporation, Power Grid and Hindustan Zinc are all in this category. ITC and Castrol provide some diversification outside PSU-commodity exposure.
Q5. Should I rely only on high dividend stocks for retirement income?
Not entirely. While high-dividend stocks can be part of a retirement income portfolio, they should be combined with safer instruments like fixed deposits, senior citizen savings schemes, and government bonds. Dividend stocks carry capital risk – the share price can fall meaningfully, and dividends can be cut. A blended income portfolio (debt + dividend stocks + some growth equity) is typically more resilient than concentration in any single category.
Q6. What is the difference between dividend yield and dividend payout?
Dividend yield is the annual dividend divided by share price (a percentage). Dividend payout ratio is the dividend divided by earnings per share (the percentage of profit being paid out). Yield tells you the return on your investment; payout ratio tells you whether the dividend is sustainable. A 5% yield with 50% payout ratio is much healthier than a 5% yield with 95% payout ratio.
Q7. Can I get monthly dividend income from Indian stocks?
No Indian stock pays monthly dividends as a policy – most pay annually, semi-annually or quarterly. However, you can construct near-monthly cash flow by building a basket of 7-10 dividend stocks with staggered dividend declaration months. Vedanta (March/July/Nov), ITC (July/Feb), Coal India (Nov/Feb), ONGC (Feb/Aug) and Power Grid (Sep/Feb) together cover most months of the year.
Q8. How do I evaluate if a dividend is sustainable?
Check four things: (1) payout ratio – should be 40-65% of earnings; (2) operating cash flow should comfortably cover dividends paid; (3) the company should have paid dividends consistently through past downturns (2020, 2022); and (4) debt-to-equity should be reasonable (typically below 1.0). Dividends funded by borrowing or asset sales are not sustainable.
Q9. Are dividend stocks better than mutual funds for income?
Different vehicles for different needs. Direct dividend stocks give you direct control and lower expenses, but require research and tax tracking. Dividend mutual funds (or IDCW plan mutual funds) give you diversification but are less tax-efficient (subject to fund-level taxation plus your own slab rate). For most retail investors, a mix of both – some direct dividend stocks plus broader equity mutual funds – works better than choosing only one.
Q10. How often should I review my dividend stock portfolio?
At least once a year – typically after each company announces its annual dividend – and any time there is a material change in business fundamentals (regulatory shifts, commodity cycle changes, dividend cuts). Use the 8-point checklist in this guide as the annual review framework. Pay particular attention to payout ratio trends and cash flow coverage – early warning signs of dividend stress show up there first.
Final verdict
The top 10 highest dividend paying stocks in India in 2026 offer a credible way to generate cash income alongside potential capital appreciation, but they are not a fixed-deposit substitute. The headline yield numbers are deceptive – what really matters is whether the underlying business can sustain the dividend through future cycles. PSU stocks like Coal India and ONGC, defensive plays like ITC and Power Grid, and structurally low-cost producers like Hindustan Zinc have track records that suggest durability. Vedanta and other commodity-cyclical names offer higher yields but with more variance.
Three takeaways worth remembering:
- Verify yield against quality. A 12% yield is rarely a free lunch. Run any high-yielding stock through the 8-point checklist before committing capital. Yield traps are the most common way retail investors lose money in dividend investing.
- Diversify across sectors. If 90% of your dividend portfolio is in PSU energy and metals, you are concentrated in commodity-cyclical exposure. Add FMCG (ITC), utilities (Power Grid) and regulated NBFCs (REC/PFC) to balance the risk.
- Think post-tax, not pre-tax. A 6% gross dividend yield is roughly 4.2% after tax for a 30% slab investor. Compare investments on post-tax returns – the comparison with FDs and other income instruments changes significantly when you apply the tax filter.
Dividend investing rewards patience and rigour. The investor who builds a diversified basket of fundamentally sound dividend stocks, reinvests payouts, and holds through cycles tends to compound real wealth over decades. The investor who chases the highest yield without checking the underlying business often ends up with a portfolio of capital losses that the yield never offsets. The math is unforgiving – which is why this guide ends where it began: do the work before you buy.
The best high dividend stock is the one whose payout history, payout ratio, cash flow coverage and business fundamentals all check out – not the one with the loudest headline yield. Quality of dividends beats quantity of yield, every cycle.
