S&P Dow Jones Indices Reports U.S. Common Indicated Dividend Payments Increase of $15.3 Billion in Q1 2025 as Dividend Growth Continues to Slow

Core Insights - The indicated dividend net changes for U.S. domestic common stocks increased by $15.3 billion in Q1 2025, compared to $11.7 billion in Q4 2024 and $16.0 billion in Q1 2024 [1][6] - For the 12-month period ending March 2025, the net dividend rate increased by $52.7 billion, up from $42.8 billion for the same period ending March 2024 [2][6] - Dividend growth in Q1 2025 was slower than previous years but aligned with expectations amid economic uncertainties [3][4] Dividend Increases - In Q1 2025, U.S. common dividend increases totaled $19.5 billion, a 37.0% increase from $14.2 billion in Q4 2024 but a 14.1% decrease from $22.7 billion in Q1 2024 [6][7] - For the 12-month period ending March 2025, total dividend increases were $68.2 billion, slightly up from $68.1 billion in the prior period [8][6] - A total of 758 dividend increases were reported in Q1 2025, down 4.8% year-over-year from 796 in Q1 2024 [7] Dividend Decreases - In Q1 2025, dividend decreases amounted to $4.2 billion, a 68.0% increase from $2.5 billion in Q4 2024 but a 37.7% decrease from $6.7 billion in Q1 2024 [6][15] - For the 12-month period ending March 2025, 138 issues decreased their dividend payments, a 37.0% decrease compared to 219 in the prior period [15] - Total dividend decreases for the current 12-month period were $15.6 billion, down 38.3% from $25.2 billion in the previous period [15] Dividend Yields - The weighted indicated dividend yield for paying issues was 2.78% in Q1 2025, down from 2.83% in Q4 2024 and 2.86% in Q1 2024 [15] - Average indicated yield increased to 3.32% in Q1 2025 compared to 3.19% in Q4 2024, but down from 3.28% in Q1 2024 [15] - Yields for large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks increased in Q1 2025, with large-caps at 1.64%, mid-caps at 2.37%, and small-caps at 3.04% [15]