Second Quarter 2013 Dividend Rate Increases $17.6 Billion

NEW YORK, July 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Dow Jones Indices announced today that dividend net increases (increases less decreases) rose $17.6 billion during the second quarter of 2013 for U.S. domestic common stock. 591 dividend increases were reported during the quarter, equating to a 17.0% gain over the 505 dividend increases reported during second quarter of 2012.

Of the approximately 10,000 U.S. traded issues, 65 companies decreased dividends in Q2 2013 compared to 37 in Q2 2012. For the year-to-date six month period, there were 1535 positive dividend events and 204 negative events (defined as either a decrease or suspension) compared to 1,182 positive events and 68 negative events during the 6 month period ending June 2012.

"Dividends continued to increase in the second quarter with actual cash payments increasing 15.5% and the forward indicated dividend setting another all-time high," says Howard Silverblatt, Senior Index Analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices. "Payout rates, which historically average 52%, continue to remain near their lows at 36%. At this point, year-to-date dividend payments are up 13.9%, with 2013 easily expected to surpass the 2012 record dividend payment."

The percentage of non-S&P 500 domestic common issues (ASE, NYSE, NASD) paying a dividend continued to increase, reaching 47.3% in Q2 2013 up from 46.1% in Q1 2013 and 43.8% in Q2 2012. The paying issues in the large-cap S&P 500 reached 82%, a level not seen since September 1999. All 30 members of the Dow Jones Industrial Average pay a dividend.

Silverblatt determined that the weighted dividend yield was 2.65% at the end of Q2, a slight tick up from the 2.61% at the end of Q1 and down from 2.80% at year-end. "The higher yield is statistically insignificant, as the increase in dividends kept pace with the increase in Q2 stock prices. Dividend yields continued to be competitive relative to other instruments such as corporate bonds, treasuries, and bank CDs," says Silverblatt.

Looking ahead, Silverblatt continues to see positive indicators for dividends, including earnings coverage and record high cash levels. "The dividend cycle continues on the upward track, with both investors and companies viewing them positively," adds Silverblatt. "Growth in the second half should be less than the first half due to the large December 2012 payout which was spurred by tax concerns."

To download the S&P Indices Dividend Report, please visit www.spdji.com/indices/equity/sp-500 and click on "S&P 500 Monthly Dividend Report" from the "Additional Info" drop down box.

For more information about S&P Dow Jones Indices, please visit www.spdji.com.

About S&P Dow Jones Indices
S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a part of McGraw Hill Financial, is the world's largest, global resource for index-based concepts, data and research. Home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average™, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC has over 115 years of experience constructing innovative and transparent solutions that fulfill the needs of investors. More assets are invested in products based upon our indices than any other provider in the world. With over 830,000 indices covering a wide range of asset classes across the globe, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC defines the way investors measure and trade the markets. To learn more about our company, please visit www.spdji.com.

Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, a part of McGraw Hill Financial. Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones"). These trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P and their respective affiliates (collectively "S&P Dow Jones Indices") do not sponsor, endorse, sell, or promote any investment fund or other investment vehicle that is offered by third parties and that seeks to provide an investment return based on the performance of any index. This document does not constitute an offer of services in jurisdictions where S&P Dow Jones Indices does not have the necessary licenses. S&P Dow Jones Indices receives compensation in connection with licensing its indices to third parties.

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices

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