The return to the dividend coal-face by large mining companies will propel payouts in 2017 to a record high, with a helping hand from the US dollar.
Oil and gas dividends are expected to account for 21 per cent of the total £92bn estimated payout for this year, according to IHS Markit, which expects a 66 per cent dividend increase across the commodities sector thanks to the resumption of payments by Glencore (GLEN) and the increase from BHP Billiton (BLT).
Markit said it expects FTSE 350 ordinary dividends to hit £86bn - a rise of 10 per cent on 2016 - but that special payouts should push this to the higher £92bn figure.