What role did dividends play in the total returns for each ASX 200 sector in 2024?

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) delivered total gross returns of 11.44% last year, comprised of 7.49% capital growth and 3.95% dividends.

With the month-long earnings season commencing this week, dividends are on investors' minds.

Let's look at how the proportion of dividend returns differed between the 11 market sectors last year.

How much did dividend returns matter across the ASX sectors?

Utilities

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) last year was 17.48%.

Dividends made up a whopping 7.05% of the ASX 200 utilities sector's total return.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) was the sector's highest riser, lifting 28.7%.

Financials

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) last year was 33.72%.

Dividends made up 5.5% of the ASX 200 financials sector's total return.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) was the sector's highest riser, with its share price soaring 352.5%.

Energy

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) last year was 13.87%.

The index lost 18.83% of its market cap last year, but dividends of 4.96% lowered the negative return to 13.87%.

ASX 200 coal miner Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) was the top riser of the sector, up 31.3%.

Materials

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) last year was 13.47%.

The index fell by 17.27% last year, but dividends of 3.8% reduced the negative return to 13.47%.

ASX 200 gold miner West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) was the sector's strongest riser, up 51.05%.

Consumer discretionary

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) last year was 23.91%.

Dividends made up 3.2% of the ASX 200 consumer discretionary sector's total return.

Although Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) only began trading in June, it was the retail sector's highest riser for the year.

Guzman y Gomez shares rose by 84.4% from their initial public offering (IPO) price of $22 per share.

Consumer Staples

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was 1.1%.

The index fell by 4.4% last year, but dividends of 3.3% reduced the negative return to 1.1%.

Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) was the consumer staples sector's strongest riser, up 63%.

Real estate & REITs

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate Index (ASX: XPJ) was 16.31%.

Dividends made up 3.95% of the ASX 200 real estate sector's total return.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) was the sector's best performer for share price growth, up 40.9%.

Communications

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Communications Index (ASX: XTJ) was 6.06%.

Dividends made up 3.59% of the ASX 200 communications sector's total return.

News Corporation CDI (ASX: NWS) was the sector's highest riser, lifting 31.4%.

Industrials

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was 15.13%.

Dividends made up 3.76% of the ASX 200 industrials sector's total return.

ASX 200 airline share Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) was the sector's highest riser, lifting 67%.

Technology

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was 49.9%.

Dividends made up 0.36% of the ASX 200 technology sector's total return.

Social networking app owner Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) was the sector's highest riser, up 198%.

Healthcare

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) was 7.51%.

Dividends made up 1.5% of the ASX 200 healthcare sector's total return.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) was the top riser of the healthcare sector, up 162%.