Singapore dividend payout likely to be flat in 2017: Markit

Singapore

IT'S going to be another lacklustre year for dividend investors, as total Singapore dividends in 2017 is projected to rise by just 0.6 per cent, barely improved from last year's already weak 0.4 per cent rise.

Expected ordinary dividends, excluding one-off payments, for 2017 is S$16.4 billion, compared to S$16.3 billion in 2016, according to financial services provider Markit.

It's a lot worse in US dollar terms as total dividends in USD are forecast to be down 5 per cent to US$11.3 billion.

And misery loves company. Singapore's paltry projected return will not even be the worst among the 13 Asia-Pacific countries tracked by Markit.

Thailand's dividends are forecast to grow 0.4 per cent while dismal performance is expected to come from Sout…