Are you sure you want to change languages?
The page you are visiting uses a different locale than your saved profile. Do you want to change your locale?
Dividends in the COVID-19 Era
Dividend growth is slowing in the aftermath of the COVID-19 market crisis, but we think this trend will be relatively short-lived. Here’s where dividends are most likely to be at risk, and where they’re most likely to be preserved, in the months to come.
In the bull market following the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), companies dramatically increased capital distributions to shareholders. Much of that capital was returned through stock buybacks, but dividend payouts also played a major role. S&P 500 stocks paid out nearly $500 billion in dividends last year, making 2019 a record year for dividend payouts by some measures.
The current crisis has changed that landscape. News reports of dividend cuts and suspensions have emerged in recent weeks as companies seek to preserve cash, secure their balance sheets, and ensure stability. Growth in dividends has made a substantial contribution to stockmarket returns since the GFC; a significant reduction in dividend payouts over an extended period could have a very negative effect on equity-market performance.