News - Economics / markets
UK dividends shrank by £2bn last year as BP scrapped its payout in the wake of the devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Figures from Capita Registrars show dividends paid out in the UK fell to £56.5bn, with the main culprit being the cancellation of £5.4bn in dividends from BP, writes the Telegraph.
Prior to the accident, BP was one of the the biggest dividend payers in the UK. But, the oil major suspended its dividend last June as part of a deal with the US government.
However, the company has hinted that when it unveils its fourth-quarter results this week, it will reinstate its dividend at about seventy cents per share for the quarter - around half 2009's level.
Excluding BP, dividends rose 7.5% last year to £54.7bn as the recovery took hold.
A total of 435 companies paid a dividend in 2010, compared to 417 in 2009. Most growth came in the second half of the year, with the fastest rises made by FTSE 250 companies.
Categories: Economics / Markets
Comments
The big question
Updating your subscription status 
IW Fund Centre
Run in conjunction with Funds Library, the IW Fund Centre combines qualitative and quantitative data on a huge range of funds.
Have your say
This week: What will happen to the eurozone if Greece leaves?
Job of the week
Events
12 Jun 2012 - 12 Jun 2012
The Cumberland Great Cumberland Place, London W1H 7DL
05 Jul 2012 - 05 Jul 2012
Royal Albert Hall, London Kensington Gore London, Greater London SW7 2AP
