S&P Dow Jones Indices announced that the indicated dividend net changes (increases less decreases) for U.S. domestic common stocks increased $9.7 billion during first quarter 2023, compared to $14.6 billion in fourth quarter 2022 and $18.2 billion in first quarter 2022.
For all 12 months ending in March 2023, the net dividend rate increased $59.7 billion, compared to the net $70.1 billion ending in March 2022. Increases were $74.5 billion versus $86.0 billion, and decreases were $14.8 billion compared to $15.9 billion.
“Dividend payments continued at record levels and are expected to continue to do so for 2023. However, the size of the increases have declined and are expected to remain modest for the year as concerns over decreased consumer spending and an economic slowdown have increased,” said Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “For 2023, the dollar aggregate of dividends are expected to increase, but at half the pace of