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.
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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.
