UK banks and miners boost dividends beyond expectations in Q2

‘Catch-up’ special dividends buoy payouts

UK dividends have risen a “phenomenal” 51% year-on-year, boosted by the return of banking payouts, "catch-up" special dividends and soaring commodity prices, according to the latest Link Group Dividend Monitor.

Q2 2021 marks the first period to be compared to a pandemic quarter and was "always destined" to receive favourable comparisons, however the 51% jump was "significantly better" than Link Group's expectations of a 31% rise, with even the underlying results beating this figure, up 44% year on year. UK dividend decline slows as sectors restart payments A variety of factors boosted the quarter's payouts, including the return of banking dividends, albeit restricted, which added £3.4bn to the UK dividend market, more than the oil, gas and energy and healthcare and pharmaceutical industries ...