Interim dividend is a dividend payment made on account during the course of the financial year. Usually it's paid following a half year profit announcement. Most companies in the UK pay only one interim dividend.
But some, especially in the U.S., can make interim payments three times in a year followed by a final dividend at year's end.
The interim dividend is usually announced at the time of the interim results. Unlike the final dividend, the interim dividend does not require the agreement of a company's annual shareholder meeting ( AGM )