Global dividends hit new record in Q1 but UK lags global average

Janus Henderson Global Dividend index

Global dividends hit a new record in the first quarter of 2019, according to data from Janus Henderson Investors, but the group has warned against expecting yet another year of above-trend growth as corporate earnings moderate and economic growth slows.

Dividends paid out by global corporates through the first three months of the year totalled over $263bn, 7.8% higher than the corresponding period in 2018 on a headline basis. Janus Henderson's Global Dividend index climbed to an all-time high of 190.1, meaning dividend payments have almost doubled since the index was devised in 2009. Allianz GI's Gergel takes profits from large caps to boost mid-cap exposure On an underlying basis, which adjusts the figures for special dividends, index changes and currency and timing effects, growth was a solid 7.5% as higher specials were offset ...