Global dividends reach record levels but UK held back by weak pound

Global dividends rose to $354bn (£276bn) as corporate profits led to record third quarter payouts but the UK was stunted by a weaker pound.

The amount paid to the shareholders of the world's 1,200 largest companies rose 5.1 per cent in the third quarter, according to a report from asset manager Janus Henderson.

Underlying growth soared 9.2 per cent as the US, Canada, Taiwan and India had all-time record quarters and Chinese dividends grew for the first time in four years.

UK payouts rose just three per cent to $33.3bn in the three months to the end of September, due to a weakening pound and lower special dividends.

But underlying growth was 11.1 per cent due to strong payouts from the mining sector and British banks, led by Barclays.

“The third quarter exceeded our expectations, but more importantly, the quality of growth was better than expected,” Ben Lofthouse, head of global equity income at Janus Henderson said.

“It came despite a negative impact from exchange rate moves and a lower level of special dividends.

“Importantly our core underlying measure of growth was strong,” Lofthouse added.

Andrew Jones, from Janus Henderson said: “The mining and oil sectors are significantly improving their cash flow as a result of increases in commodity prices as well as good cost control.

“This is allowing the companies to increase their dividends.

“We would expect this to continue and BHP has already announced it will pay a special dividend in addition to its regular dividend in the first quarter of 2019, following the disposal of its US shale assets.”