Bank-led dividend growth puts Singapore ahead of most global peers

13.1% rise in first half of year is double the global average and just a tad below Japan’s

- Kang Wan Chern Deputy Business Editor

US$8.2 billion (S$10.6 billion) worth of dividends in the first six months of the year, forming part of the US$1.14 trillion distributed globally, according to a Sept 30 study by US fund manager Capital Group. The dividend growth in the Republic was led by local banks, with DBS Bank the biggest contributor. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

(LIANHE ZAOBAO)

Global dividends hit a record in the first half of 2025, with Singapore outshining most of its peers with one of the strongest growth rates worldwide.

Singapore-listed companies paid US$8.2 billion (S$10.6 billion) worth of dividends in the first six months of the year, forming part of the US$1.14 trillion distributed globally, according to a Sept 30 study by US fund manager Capital Group.

The Republic recorded 13.1 per cent core dividend growth in the first half compared with the same period a year ago, which is more than double the global average growth rate of 6.2 per cent year on year, the study showed.