Global dividends reached a first-quarter record of $263.3 billion, rising 7.8% despite concerns about the world economy, according to the latest Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index research.
Janus Henderson analyzes dividends and the research began in 2009 with an index value of 100. The Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index reached a new record of 190.1.
The Janus Henderson report stated that U.S. dividends reached a record $122.5 billion during the period (Q1-2019), up 8.3%. Underlying U.S. growth, where it is adjusted for special dividends and changes in currency, saw a climb of 9.6%. Almost 90% of American companies featured in the index raised dividends, the highest increases coming from the banking sector.
Top 10 biggest dividend payers
Janus Henderson analyzes dividends paid by the 1,200 largest firms by market capitalization and maintains a list of the world’s biggest dividend payers. Below the top-10 of dividend-paying companies is listed as of 31 March 2019. In Q1-2019, the top-10 paid 45.18 US$bn, accounting for 17% of the total.
- Novartis
- BHP Group
- Roche Holding
- Royal Dutch Shell
- AT&T
- Siemens
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- Microsoft
- Exxon Mobil
- Akzo Nobel
