Global growth in dividends is forecast to slow sharply this year with the prospects for big increases dimming even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine further clouded the outlook. After a bumper set of payouts delivered a full recovery from the worst of the Covid-19 crisis in 2021, this year was set for only modest growth even before the war broke out. Now, analysts warn of a knock to confidence and potential consequences from inflationary input prices and economic sanctions.

What has been the impact of Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine on global dividends?