South African companies distributed approximately R110 billion in dividends during Q2 2026 according to the latest DivInsight Report from Computershare.
The global financial services company said that total dividend payments during Q2 2026 were 31.4% lower than during Q2 2025.
However, the company also underlined that Q2 2025 payments (R160 billion) were exceptionally high.
Dividend payments during the first half of 2026 were the strongest recorded during the last 10 years.
Bennie van der Westhuizen, Chief Executive Officer Computershare South Africa, said: “South African dividend payments remained high in Q2 2026.
“This is even more significant given the exceptional quarter for Q2 2025 dividends.
“There were several payments across large sectors during Q2 2026.”
Key payers Standard Bank, Sanlam, AngloGold, MTN and Vodacom were the largest dividend-paying companies in Q2 2026, distributing R52 billion.
During Q2 2026, the overall top five paying companies accounted for 47% of total dividends for the quarter.
Other sectors Telecommunications companies distributed R17.6 billion (16% of dividends) during the quarter according to the report.
Insurance companies distributed R16.6 billion (15%) during the period.
No tobacco company declared dividends during the quarter, and metals and mining company dividends fell 30.7% year-on-year, said Computershare.
The top 40 companies in South Africa accounted for 75% of all dividends distributed in Q2 2026.
Companies outside the Top 40 accounted for the remaining 25%, added Computershare.
Special Dividends
Special dividends totalled R2.2 billion in Q2 2026.
This was 89% lower than Q2 2025 and one of the lowest quarterly special dividend totals recorded in more than a decade.
Ten companies declared special dividends during the quarter, although the amounts were significantly smaller than in previous years.
The five largest special dividend payers were Altron, OUTsurance, enX Group, Grindrod and Sun International.
