Global dividends reached record highs in the first quarter of the year, according to figures from Janus Henderson.
The fund manager's Global Dividend index showed dividends across the globe were 10.2 per cent higher during the period at $244.7bn (£182.6bn).
The index breaks all time quarterly records for the globe, and also broke country-specific records in Canada and the US, though UK dividend growth was more muted.
The Index ended the quarter at a record 174.2, meaning that global payouts last year were almost three-quarters higher than in 2009.
Headline growth was upgraded to 8.5 per cent, helped by a weaker dollar, with payments expected to reach a record $1.358trn (£1.1trn).
In the UK, dividends grew by 21.1 per cent, but Janus said this was distorted by a large payout from BAT, the tobacco business, which has moved to quarterly distributions, as well as by the stronger pound. Underlying growth was what Janus described as a “modest” 4.2 per cent.
Ben Lofthouse, director of global equity income at Janus Henderson, said: “This year has started well for dividends. Economic growth is strong, and corporate profitability is rising, generating cash that companies can return to their shareholders.”
He added the acceleration in US dividend growth may be an early sign companies are feeling confident about returning some of the cash they have accumulated to shareholders, and that this could be further encouraged bhy US tax reforms.
“The second quarter is seasonally important for European dividend payments and we will see a much broader range of industries and countries contributing than in Q1,” he added.
Oil, gas and technology businesses, as well as the financial sector, showed the strongest growth in dividend payouts, with the telecoms industry lagging behind.
