One ASX 200 share takes the prize for the top dividend payer on the planet.
This company's shares are falling slightly today but have surged 9% year to date.
Let's take a look at which ASX 200 company delivers the biggest dividend to shareholders.
ASX 200 share BHP tops the list
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) paid the top dividend in the world in 2021, according to a report from Janus Henderson Investors.
The report stated:
BHP paid the world's largest ever mining dividend at $12.5bn for the year, with Fortescue Metals not far behind at $11.6bn.
Rio Tinto and Newcrest also made very large increases.
BHP beat global giants including Microsoft Corporation, Samsung Electronics, AT&T Inc, Exxon Mobile Corp, and Apple within the top 10.
BHP had only made the cut as one of the world's top 10 dividend payers one other time during the past six years, in 2019.
Global dividends surged 16.8% in 2021 to a record $1.47 trillion overall, the report revealed. Europe, the UK, and Australia were among those countries delivering the rapid growth. Banks and miners delivered three-fifths of a $212 billion boost in payouts overall.
In the February reporting season, BHP declared a dividend of US$1.50 (A$2.08) per share. This will be paid on 28 of March.
BHP share price recap
The BHP share price has dropped nearly 7% in a week, shedding more than 6% over the past month.
However, year to date, BHP shares have gained almost 9%.
For perspective, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has lost around 4% so far this calendar year.
BHP has a market capitalisation of $229 billion based on its current share price.
