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GM BUSINESS connect
April/May 2018
news
Northwest exporters Global dividends bullish about year ahead break new record • North West exporters expect their total overseas sales to increase in the next six months after recording a positive end to 2017. • The United States of America is identified as offering the biggest opportunities for North West exporters.
currently export their goods or services A strengthening world economy and rising corporate confidence – above the national average of 40%, down slightly from 50% six months ago. pushed global dividends to a new While some are facing new challenges, high in 2017, according to the Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index. with 50% of North West exporters deciding to focus more on UK sales in light of Brexit, most are optimistic about what lies ahead.
• 45% of businesses in the region now Richard Evans, North West area export, down compared with six director for Lloyds Bank Global months ago. Transaction Banking, said: “The Exporters in the Northwest are majority of North West exporters still buoyant about their 2018 trade see international trade playing an prospects with a net balance of 20% important role in their plans, despite expecting overseas sales to increase the continued climate of domestic and over the next six months, according international uncertainty. to the latest Business in Britain report “Judging from Northwest firms’ export from Lloyds Bank. performances over the previous This is on the back of a strong end to 2017 in which a net balance of 18% said their international trade had increased in the second half of the year.
six months, this confidence is not misplaced and by using international trade as a growth strategy for their business British firms can also manage Around 45% of the region’s businesses risk during periods of uncertainty.”
Global dividends rose 7.7% on a headline basis, the fastest rate of growth since 2014, and reached a total of $1.252 trillion. Every region of the world and almost every industry saw an increase. Moreover, records were broken in 11 of the index’s 41 countries, among them the United States, Japan, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Netherlands. • Global dividends soared 7.7% in 2017 to a record $1.252 trillion. • Underlying growth was 6.8%, and every region of the world saw an increase. • JHGDI rose to a record 171.2, meaning dividends have risen by
almost three-quarters since 2009. • Records were broken in eleven out of the index’s 41 countries. • Q4 continued the positive trend, up 6.4% on an underlying basis. • Strong earnings growth around the world in 2018 will support continued dividend increases. • Janus Henderson expects 6.1% underlying growth, with every region seeing an increase. • A weaker dollar means Janus Henderson expects headline growth of 7.7%, bringing total global dividends to $1.348 trillion in 2018. Underlying growth, which adjusts for movements in exchange rates, one-off special dividends and other factors, was an impressive 6.8%, and showed less divergence than in previous years across the different regions of the world, reflecting the broadly based global economic recovery.
