Shareholders invested in just 10 S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) giants saw the bulk of all dividends on offer from companies listed on the Aussie bourse last quarter.
Indeed, their payouts – weighted to account for the three-month period – came to a total of $19.2 billion, according to data provided by S & P Global Market Intelligence.
That represents 62% of all the $31.1 billion offered to ASX investors during that time.
So, which ASX 200 shares helped make up the astounding figure? Keep reading to find out.
Meet the ASX 200's dividend machines
The ASX 200 share posting the biggest dividend for the third quarter likely won't surprise eagle-eyed market watchers. It is, of course, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).
The iron ore giant offered investors a $2.55 per share final dividend in September. As the goliath only offers two dividends per year, half of its latest offering – a whopping $6.4 billion worth, according to data provided by S & P Global Market Intelligence – can be attributed to the quarter just been.
For those playing at home, that means BHP's latest payout can be seen to account for an eye-watering 33% of all dividends for the September quarter.
The next biggest dividend payer was Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO). It handed out around $3.2 billion of dividends for the period, as per data provided by S & P Global.
Other ASX 200 giants taking out top dividend-paying spots include Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).
ASX 200 banks, of course, also featured heavily. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) led the big four – $1.8 billion of its dividends were attributed to the period.
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) also made the top 10.
Finally, taking the last spot on the dividend leaderboard, was ASX 200 financial icon Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG). It boasted $557.5 million of dividends attributable to the period, according to data provided by S & P Global.
