August was a big month for ASX 200 dividend shares. The latest earnings season saw some surprise income boosts but it wasn't all good news for shareholders of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) constituents.
Here are some of the notable names that slashed payouts to shareholders in the most recent reporting season.
ASX 200 dividend shares that slashed dividends in August
1. AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL)
AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) was one of the big names to slash payouts. The decision came after a difficult 2021 for shareholders as the pandemic continued to weigh on energy shares. The AGL share price is down 45.6% in 2021 and the group's FY21 results didn't provide great news for shareholders.
AGL reported a 10% drop in revenue as underlying net profit slumped 33.5% to $537 million. The Aussie energy generator and retailer slashed its final dividend by 23.5% to 75 cents per share and ultimately slid lower in August.
2. Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, another ASX energy giant also trimmed its payout in August. Origin, another of the Big 3 Aussie energy companies, slashed its final dividend from 10 cents in FY20 to 7.5 cents in FY21.
The ASX 200 dividend share slumped lower following the news after Origin reported a $2.2 billion net loss. Investors weren't pleased with the 20% decline in the full-year dividend payout after a tough year for ASX energy shares marred by COVID-19 restrictions and lower energy prices.
3. Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR)
Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR) was another notable ASX 200 dividend share to slash payouts in August.
The Aussie online automotive and marine classifieds business cut its final dividend by 10% to 22.5 cents per share. That came despite Carsales reporting an 11% jump in net profit after tax to $153 million and "excellent free cash flow generation", according to its media statement.
