UK dividends payout in Q1 totals £18.8bn. Will it last?
I doubt it . . .
U.K. dividend payouts soared by 25% in the first quarter of 2012 to reach £18.8bn, according to the latest Dividend Monitor report from Capita Registrars, which analyses data provided by Exchange Data International. In total, British firms paid out £3.8bn more than the same period in 2011, making 2012 a record for the first quarter.
The headline total dividend payout for Q1 was boosted by two very large distorting factors. Vodafone and Cairn Energy each paid out £2.2bn in the form of special dividends. Vodafone's reflects the strong performance at Verizon Wireless, in which it owns a 45% shareholding, while Cairn was returning cash to shareholders on the disposal of assets in India.
But will it last?
Capita expects an acceleration in U.K. dividend payouts as the year progresses, providing the eurozone doesn't implode again. Capita has cut its underlying forecast growth rate to 8.2% for the full year to reflect the slower first quarter.
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Filed Under: Income Investing,
Disclaimer:
Steven Dotsch - Managing editor - http://www.dividend-income-investor.com - Guide to Dividend Investing, at: http://www.dividend-income-investor.com/guide-to-dividend-investing/ - Dividend Value Profiles, at: http://www.dividend-income-investor.com/british-american-tobacco/
Vodafone Group Plc (Vodafone) is a mobile communications company operating across the globe providing a range of communications services. It offers a range of products and services, including voice, messaging, data and fixed-line solutions and devices to assist customers in meeting their total communications needs. It has a global presence, with equity interests in over 30 countries and over 40 partner markets worldwide. It operates in three geographic regions: Europe, Africa and Central Europe; Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, and has an investment in Verizon Wireless in the United States. In March 2012, Verizon Wireless, which is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone, purchased the operating assets of Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania from the Company. In May 2013, Vodafone Group Plc announced launch of its carrier services business unit. more »
Cairn Energy PLC (Cairn) is an independent oil and gas exploration and development company. It is organized into two business units: Cairn Energy Group and Cairn India Group. The Cairn Energy Group’s operations focuses on new exploration activities in Greenland and the Mediterranean. The Company’s Mediterranean and South Asia operating segments are combined into the Other Cairn Energy Group. The Company's South Asia business unit holds its interests in Nepal and a share in certain North Indian assets operated by Cairn India Limited. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company completed the sale of a 40% shareholding in Cairn India Limited to Vedanta Resources plc. In January 2011, Government of Greenland confirmed it as operator of Atammik and Lady Franklin blocks, and acquired 47.5% interest. On May 9, 2012, it acquired Agora Oil & Gas AS. more »
AstraZeneca PLC (AstraZeneca) is a global biopharmaceutical company. AstraZeneca discovers, develops and commercializes prescription medicines for six areas of healthcare: Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Infection, Neuroscience, Oncology, and Respiratory and Inflammation. It has a range of medicines that includes treatments for illnesses, such as its antibiotic, Merrem/Meronem and Losec/Prilosec for acid related diseases. AstraZeneca’s products include Crestor, Atacand,Seloken/Toprol-XL, Plendil, Onglyza, Zestril, Symbicort and Zoladex. The Company owns and operates a range of research and development (R&D), production and marketing facilities worldwide. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, including China, Mexico, Brazil and Russia. In August 2012, Alliance Pharma plc’s subsidiary, Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, acquired the antimalarial brands. In August 2012, the Company announced the acquisition of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. more »
