UK companies paid a record £35.3bn in dividends in the second quarter of 2026, led by strong contributions from banks and miners. Mining dividends rose 27.5% year on year as higher precious metals and copper prices helped the sector recover from a cyclical low. HSBC was among the five largest dividend payers in the quarter. The figures point to a tangible boost to profitability and payout capacity for resource firms from firmer commodity prices, with copper singled out as a key driver.