Global dividends increased by 6.6% y-o-y to reach USD 1.8 tn in 2024, according to the latest edition of asset manager Janus Henderson ’s Global Dividend Index (pdf). On a quarterly basis, dividends were up by 7.3% in 4Q 2024.

Big payouts from Meta, Alphabet, and Alibaba drove one-fifth of global dividend growth. Alibaba’s USD 5.1 bn payout helped lift China’s total to a record USD 62.7 bn.

The world’s largest dividend payers in 2024, ranked by total payouts, were Microsoft, Exxon Mobil, HSBC, Apple, China Construction Bank, PetroChina, China Mobile, JPMorgan Chase, Chevron, and Johnson & Johnson. Together, they distributed USD 145.9 bn in dividends

Growth by sector: While dividend growth was broad-based, the financial sector led the way, with banking dividends rising USD 36.4 bn, aided by one-off special payments. Other sectors, including telecoms, construction, insurance, consumer durables, and leisure, saw gains exceeding 10%. Media companies, led by Meta and Alphabet, doubled their dividends, while Alibaba bolstered retail payouts. On the downside, mining and transport experienced a combined USD 26 bn drop, and dividends in the oil, gas, and energy sector declined by 4.1% to USD 166.2 bn.

The US led global distributions with payouts reaching USD 651.7 bn, followed by the UK with USD 90.6 bn and Japan with USD 86.0 bn.

Emerging markets saw a 9% increase in payouts y-o-y, driven by record distributions of USD 62.7 bn from China and USD 30.6 bn from India. Saudi Arabia contributed USD 16.9 bn.

Dividends to rise this year: The firm expects dividends to rise 5% to USD 1.8 tn in 2025, though a stronger USD may weigh on headline growth. The Trump administration could boost US firms but also heighten inflation risks, potentially triggering market volatility. However, corporate earnings are still expected to grow by over 10%.

TASI

11,811

-0.7% (YTD: -1.9%)

MSCI Tadawul 30

1,490

-0.6% (YTD: -1.3%)

NomuC

31,297

-0.8% (YTD: -0.6%)

USD : SAR (SAMA)

USD 3.75 Sell

USD 3.75 Buy

Interest rates

5.0% repo

4.5% reverse repo

EGX30

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ADX

9,447

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DFM

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S&P 500

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FTSE 100

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Euro Stoxx 50

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Brent crude

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Gold

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BTC

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THE CLOSING BELL: TADAWUL-

The TASI fell 0.7% on Thursday on turnover of SAR 7.1 bn. The index is down 1.9% YTD.

In the green: Tanmiah (+4.8%), Malath Insurance (+4.3%) and Amak (+3.7%).

In the red: Mouwasat (-9.3%), Walaa (-8.0%) and Al Majed Oud (-7.4%).

THE CLOSING BELL: NOMU-

The NomuC fell 0.8% on Thursday on turnover of SAR 34.7 mn. The index is down 0.6% YTD.

In the green: AlBattal Factory (+6.7%), Leaf (+6.5%) and Mulkia (+5.7%).

In the red: Purity (-7.1%), Horizon Educational (-6.8%) and Watani Steel (-6.3%).

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

Jana Medical converted two of its branches into wholly owned limited liability companies, after completing regulatory procedures with the Commerce Ministry on 5 March, according to a disclosure to Tadawul. The two entities are Excellent Care Company, which focuses on medical devices and supplies, and Elite Care Medical Company, which sells ambulances and medical equipment. Each company has a fully paid-up capital of SAR 100k, funded from Jana Medical’s internal resources.

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