Global dividends fall 0.9% as big companies slash payouts

After adjusting for one-off special dividends and exchange rates, underlying growth came in at 0.3%, the study found. However, when the two biggest cutters - Brazilian oil producer Petrobras and Australian miner BHP - were excluded, underlying growth was 5.3%. The steep cuts came primarily from the mining sector, where half of companies reduced payouts, and from oil producers in Brazil and Taiwan, subverting the overall oil sector growth trend. Chemicals and property also reported lower dividends, mainly in Asia, reflecting the tough market conditions in the region. Global dividend...