dividends

Australian companies’ dividend payouts are down 24 per cent from a year ago, as higher interest rates and cash flow challenges darken the outlook. Payouts from miners decreased significantly, although the dividend picture remains positive for banks.

Although more Australian companies are paying dividends in 2023, many have reduced payouts, with the year-to-date total slightly behind 2022’s figures, according to CommSec research. The big miners are leading the cuts, while energy producers are lifting dividends to reflect record high gas prices.

Dividend investing can be a good source of defensive income in volatile times, but changing fundamentals mean resources companies and banks may be the weaker play in 2023, with opportunities emerging beyond these traditional Australian dividend payers – although valuation will be key.

Australia’s dividend imputation system is designed to stop the double taxation of company profits. While investing in companies that pay fully franked dividends can be tax effective, tax should never be the primary determinant of a decision to buy shares.

Global equity dividends have had a stellar run as company profits remained resilient, even through the pandemic. But with volatility peaking and economic activity set to slow, 2023 may mark a turning point.

Dividend reinvestment plans can offer solid benefits to investors, especially those building wealth over the longer term. But there are downsides.

The nation’s biggest bank announced a $9.6 billion cash profit for FY22, an 11 per cent improvement on FY22. What does that mean for you?

Markets drift lower, Rio’s dividend bonanza, inflation spikes The ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) weakened throughout the session, ultimately finishing 0.7% lower on Wednesday. Every sector fell apart from property, which added 0.9%, with the local tech sector once again the hardest hit, down 2.1% as Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) continue to face global competition. Both Vicinity…

Positive finish to the week, Seven gets serious on Boral, property lending spikes The ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) finished the week on a positive note, adding 0.5% behind a rally from the energy (+1.6%) and industrial (+1.2%) sectors. The dogs of last financial year were the biggest contributors on Friday, with Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL) and A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX:…

Here we go again, ASX flat as lockdown begins, Costa Group tanks, AMP sued The ASX200 (ASX: XJO) added just 2.4 points on Thursday after the Victorian Government sent the entire state into another lockdown. The news is expected to hit the economy to the tune of $1 billion but the market remains immune, with the IT sector once…