Over the last year, dividend yield ranks as one of most important factors in MSCI World stock performance:
Which begs the question: where are the most positive dividend yield trends? Currently, the Telecommunication Services sector has the highest dividend yield in the MSCI World Index:
However, the Telecom sector also happens to have the largest portion of its companies cutting dividends-- versus Consumer Staples, where more than 76% of constituents are raising their dividends:
In addition, we find that Consumer Staples companies have increased their dividends more consistently over the last three, five, and ten-year periods than any other sector:
Of course, each region has its own unique trends:
Asia-Pacific
Europe
North America