Global dividends reach fresh high in 'exceptionally volatile' markets

Latest edition of Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index

Dividends reached a new high in 2017 thanks to a strengthening world economy and rising corporate confidence, according to the latest figures from the Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index (JHGDI).

Global dividends rose 7.7% on a headline basis, the fastest rate of growth since 2014, and reached a total of $1.252trn, the annual edition of the JHGDI revealed. The index itself rose to a record 171.2, meaning dividends have risen by almost three quarters since 2009. Meanwhile, every region of the world and almost every industry saw an increase with records being broken in 11 of the index's 41 countries, including the US, Japan, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Netherlands. Underlying growth, which the report said adjusts for movements in exchange rates, one-off special di...