Singapore dividend payout to increase by a paltry 0.7% this year

But it will perform better than its rival Hong Kong.

Another lacklustre year is to be recorded for Singapore this year as total dividends in local currency are projected to increase by 0.7%, a slightly higher rate that 0.4% a year ago, IHS Markit said.

In terms of USD, total dividends are forecast to be down by 5% to US$11.3b.

Top paying sectors banks and telecommunications, which attributes 45% of the total dividends together, are forecast to increase dividends by 1.6% and 1.3% in aggregate terms.

"However, the per-share values of the companies in the sector are forecast to remain unchanged from the previous year reflecting moderating growth expected for both sectors," IHS Markit mentioned.

More so, oil & gas is foreseen to struggle, and another year of double-digit decrease in dividends is expected to be recorded for the sector.

Singapore will do better than Hong Kong, where payouts are projected to be down 5.9% due to significant special dividends paid last year.