Total payouts rose 4.9% on a headline basis, according to research from Janus Henderson.

Total payouts rose 4.9% on a headline basis, according to research from Janus Henderson.
Fundamentals, corporate behaviour and valuations offer positive signs for emerging markets (EM) equities, believes M&G Investments.
Share buybacks came close to eclipsing dividends last year.
Economic recovery and higher cash levels will boost dividend pay-outs this year, believes the asset manager.
Corporate earnings are recovering, and earnings and dividends growth are highly correlated, according to JP Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM).
Recent headlines may highlight cutbacks in payouts, but the global universe of dividend-paying stocks is vast and diversified with a long track record of growth.
Global bond yields are expected to be low and the wealth manager recommends tilting toward dividend-paying equities.
Payments rose an underlying 7.8% in the first quarter year-on-year to $263.3bn, led by North American companies, according to the latest Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index report.
Investors may find better opportunities in dividend-paying companies than growth stocks, argues Newton IM’s Nick Clay.
In Q3, global dividends set a record 5.1% growth, but Asia-Pacific ex-Japan dropped 8.8% — and corresponding funds followed.
Part of the Mark Allen Group.