The Dividend Calendar Is Closing Fast: 5 High-Yield Names to Grab Before Ex-Dates Pass
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Income investors have a short window this month. The dividend calendar shows five high-yield names with confirmed ex-dividend dates between September 21 and September 25, 2026, and once those dates pass, the upcoming payment goes to the prior owner. Three Gladstone-family monthly payers share a September 21 ex-date, while a cannabis-focused BDC and a Capesize dry-bulk shipper both go ex on September 25.
For some quick background, to receive any of these upcoming dividends you must own the shares before the ex-dividend date. Buy on or after the ex-date and the seller keeps that payment. Pay date is when cash actually hits the account, which is separate.
Gladstone Capital (GLAD)
Gladstone Capital (NASDAQ:GLAD) is a lower middle-market BDC with a market cap of roughly $439 million and a recent price of $19.47. The next monthly common dividend of $0.15 per share carries a confirmed ex-date of September 21, 2026, with payment on September 30. Indicated annual dividend is $1.80. To capture it, shares must be owned before September 21, meaning the last practical buy day is Friday, September 18.
Fiscal Q3 2026 net investment income came in at $0.49 per share, comfortably above the $0.45 quarterly run rate of the base monthly dividend. One quick caution is that non-earning investments rose to five companies totaling $26.7 million, or 3.1% of debt investments at fair value, worth watching if credit softens.
Gladstone Commercial (GOOD)
Gladstone Commercial (NASDAQ:GOOD) is a net-lease REIT with an industrial tilt, market cap around $605 million and a recent quote of $12.76, up 27.67% year to date. The next monthly dividend of $0.10 per share has a confirmed ex-date of September 21, 2026 and pay date September 30; indicated annual is $1.20. Last buy day to capture this one is September 18.
Q2 fiscal 2026 adjusted Core FFO was $0.38 per diluted share, though that included a one-time lease termination fee, so treat it as flattered. Occupancy at 98.7% across 151 properties with 100% cash rent collection through July supports the current $0.10 monthly cadence, which has been unchanged since January 2023. (If a 30-day payment schedule is the whole appeal here, we rounded up seven of our favorite monthly payers in a free report.)
Gladstone Investment (GAIN)
Gladstone Investment (NASDAQ:GAIN) is a buyout-focused BDC, market cap about $637 million and last quote $15.95. The next monthly dividend of $0.08 per share has a confirmed ex-date of September 21, 2026, pay date September 30, and an indicated annual of $0.96. Same deadline: own before September 21.
Adjusted NII for fiscal Q1 2027 was $0.26 per share versus a $0.24 quarterly obligation on the monthly dividend, so coverage is tight but positive. GAIN often supplements with capital-gains distributions when portfolio exits close; the expected exit from SFEG Holdings in Q3/Q4 CY2026 is worth tracking. NAV per share slipped to $16.24, down 3.2% quarter over quarter, on unrealized depreciation and a realized loss.
Chicago Atlantic BDC (LIEN)
Chicago Atlantic BDC (NASDAQ:LIEN) is a cannabis- and lower middle-market-focused BDC with a market cap near $232 million and a dividend yield of 13.3%. The quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share has a confirmed ex-date of September 25, 2026, pay date October 9, and indicated annual of $1.36. Last buy day is Thursday, September 24.
Q1 2026 NII came in at $0.44 per share against a $0.34 quarterly payout. The portfolio is 100% senior secured with zero non-accruals, weighted-average yield of 15.8%, and GAAP leverage of just 8.2%. The concentration to watch is real: 76% cannabis exposure. Shares trade at 0.769x book, reflecting that risk.
Seanergy Maritime Holdings (SHIP)
Seanergy Maritime Holdings (NASDAQ:SHIP) is a pure-play Capesize dry-bulk shipper, market cap around $395 million and recent price $18.44, up 106.09% year to date. The Q2 quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share has a confirmed ex-date of September 25, 2026 and pay date October 9. Indicated annual is $0.80, but note the payment is highly variable with rates: prior quarters were $0.20 and $0.20.
Q2 2026 adjusted EPS reached $1.32, and fleet TCE ran $32,355 per day at 97.3% utilization. Sustainability is the key caveat: Capesize rates are cyclical, working capital sat at a $8.6 million deficit as of June 30, and 78% of revenue came from three charterers. Q3 guidance points to a slightly softer TCE near $31,000 per day.
Committed View
On coverage quality alone, LIEN stands out: NII covers the payout with material cushion, the book is 100% senior secured, leverage is low, and the yield is genuinely high without a collapsing share price behind it. Among the Gladstone trio, GLAD offers the most straightforward NII cushion on the base monthly. SHIP is the highest-conviction cash generator today but the most cyclical, so treat this payment as tied to a strong rate quarter rather than a steady annuity. Chasing a single distribution rarely qualifies as a strategy, and once September 21 or September 25 arrives, the payment is off the table for new buyers.
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Chris Lange is a financial and geopolitical writer with more than a decade of experience covering a myriad of topics. He has published thousands of articles for 24/7 Wall St., with past coverage focused heavily on stocks, IPOs, healthcare, defense, global affairs, and technology.
His work has been quoted, or referenced by a number of outlets including Business Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, The Motley Fool, and many other publications. A graduate of Southwestern University, he studied business with a focus on investments and has previous experience in banking and startups.
When not reading or writing the news, he is following his passion for Lacrosse, playing chess, or building solar projects with his dad.
