Janus Henderson: Global dividends break Q1 record but uncertain outlook remains

The quarterly study found global dividends surged by 11% in the first four months of the year, hitting $302.5bn. Underlying growth "was even stronger", according to analysts, at 16.1%. Since the study began in 2009 pay-outs have more than doubled, the data showed. The basis for this strong growth was twofold, according to the study. First, the resumption of normal dividend repayments post-Covid, when many companies were forced to cancel or suspend dividend pay-outs to shore up balance sheets during lockdown. Globally, 81% of companies that issued pay-outs in the first quarter incre...