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.
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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.
