In FY26, Indian firms made history by distributing a staggering ₹4.5 lakh crore in dividends, marking a remarkable 15% annual growth rate over five years. A significant portion of these dividends, two-thirds, came from the banking, finance, and IT sectors. Notably, the dividend payout ratio has tapered to a five-year low of 27%, indicating that a smaller share of profits is now being returned to shareholders as dividends.
US consumer sentiment near record low ahead of midterm elections
In October, consumer sentiment in the U.S. plummeted to a concerning 48.0, driven by rising prices and economic worries amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.