Total earnings ,

[katytrader]

Crazy thing is that many companies are borrowing to continue to be able to pay dividends at a higher yield than the US 10 Yr Treasury to attract more capital. Apple continues to borrow money even though they have a huge cash pile because to pay out of cash flow means they have to repatriate earnings which means taxes. With interest rates so low companies continue to borrow to fund share buybacks and pay dividends. It's ludicrous. By 2021 over $10 trillion in corporate debt out of $52 trillion will come due. It's one of the next ticking time bombs brought about by zero growth and horrible central banking policies. Total is not unlike many others.

But I agree, give me XOM shares any day.

In passing, note that TOT offers shareholders the option to receive dividends in cash or shares.  They report the share uptake.  My guess is that French institutions take shares, the little guys take cash, the foreign holders, who knows?.

How do they provide fully franked dividends if they are in stock and not cash? How does this work?

Unfranked dividends paid in shares would be a taxation nightmare.

I have no idea.  Ask them or a very good broker.....who is not allowed to give tax advice, lol