Oil major dividends to hold firm in face of revenue pressure - Markit

FTSE 350 companies will pay out £86.3bn in dividends this financial year, while oil majors should be able to maintain payouts despite tough trading conditions, according to Markit.

The latest Markit dividend report forecasts ordinary dividends from large and mid-cap names will rise 7% to £79.3bn this financial year. However, the lack of special dividend from Vodafone has impacted the total payout (including special divideds), which will be 10% lower than in 2014. Despite the fall in the oil price, oil and gas companies are expected to contribute £14.2bn while healthcare and banking sector are set to contribute £10.7bn each to total dividends. These two sectors are most likely to see big increases due to special returns and resumptions, particularly as Lloyds rej...