UK dividends to rise 11% in 2012 - Capita

UK dividends are set to rise by 11% to £75bn this year, after reaching record highs in 2011.

Payouts from UK-listed companies hit a new record of £67.8bn in 2011, according to the latest Dividend Monitor from Capita Registrars, which analyses data provided by Exchange Data International. Total gross dividends rose 19.4% for the full year, and soared 26% in Q4 alone compared to the same period in 2010. This was the first annual increase since 2008. Capita said the surge reflects broad based growth across almost all sectors, but was also impacted by a number of factors. Firstly, BP paid out £1.8bn more in 2011 than in 2010 as it restored dividends following its oil spill. Se...